-73 kg: Valeriani Rises as the Field Opens Up / IJF.org

It was not the final many had predicted but such is the nature of elite sport and of judo in particular. Olympic medallist Daniel Cargnin (BRA) did not make it past the second round, having been eliminated in his opening contest by Said-Magomed Khalidov (UKR). Khalidov was then defeated by Muhammad Demirel (TUR), who in turn was overcome by Anton Shuhalieiev (ESP). Shuhalieiev thus emerged as one of the semi-finalists, and there he faced Leonardo Valeriani (ITA) for a place in the final. It was the Italian who prevailed.

Final, Leonardo Valeriani (ITA) vs Valtteri Olin (FIN).

In the bottom half of the draw, all eyes were on reigning Olympic champion Hidayat Heydarov (AZE) who, from the outset, appeared to be performing below his usual standards. He was pushed into a long golden score contest in the round of 16 against Victor Skerlev (BUL), eventually securing victory after nearly ten minutes of intense effort.

In the next round, however, Heydarov was unable to overcome local judoka Giorgi Loladze (GEO), who seemed on course for a place in the final. That was without banking on Finland’s Valtteri Olin, an outsider who disrupted expectations and earned his place in the final with a remarkable run.

Gold medallisst, Leonardo Valeriani (ITA).

The final therefore featured Leonardo Valeriani (ITA) and Valtteri Olin (FIN). The contest remained balanced for much of the time, until a transition to groundwork changed everything. Valeriani demonstrated precision and control, freeing the arm into a juji-gatame attempt, transitioning into an immobilisation and then returning to the arm to force the submission. It was a sequence executed with clarity and efficiency; the gold medal was for Valeriani.

Bronze medal contest, Muhammed Demirel (TUR) vs Giorgi Loladze (GEO).

Muhammad Demirel (TUR) and Giorgi Loladze (GEO) met in the first bronze medal contest. The atmosphere intensified immediately. Despite Demirel scoring first, the crowd rallied behind the Georgian. One should never underestimate a Georgian judoka driven by pride. Fuelled by the support, Loladze launched a powerful lifting technique in the purest Georgian style to score ippon and completely turn the contest around. This bronze medal was for Loladze and for Georgia.

Bronze medal contest, Hidayat Heydarov (AZE) vs Anton Shuhalieiev (ESP).

Hidayat Heydarov (AZE) faced Anton Shuhalieiev (ESP) in the second bronze medal contest. Once again, the outcome was decided after a hard-fought battle. Heydarov managed to secure the bronze medal, though at the cost of considerable physical effort. It was not his most fluid performance but he still reached the podium, demonstrating that even on a difficult day, he remains a champion. If nothing else, he accumulated valuable mat-time, which will serve him well in the future.

Medals, cheques and flowers were presented by Mr Vladimir Barta, Head Sport Director of the International Judo Federation, and Mr Vladimir Bozhadze, Member of Parliament of Georgia.

Final (-73 kg)

VALERIANI Leonardo (ITA) vs OLIN Valtteri (FIN)

Bronze Medal Fights (-73 kg)

DEMIREL Muhammed (TUR) vs LOLADZE Giorgi (GEO)

HEYDAROV Hidayat (AZE) vs SHUHALIEIEV Anton (ESP)

Final Results (-73 kg)

1. VALERIANI Leonardo (ITA)

2. OLIN Valtteri (FIN)

3. LOLADZE Giorgi (GEO)

3. HEYDAROV Hidayat (AZE)

5. DEMIREL Muhammed (TUR)

5. SHUHALIEIEV Anton (ESP)

7. HRISTOV Mark (BUL)

7. TERASHVILI Giorgi (GEO)