Highlights From the Men’s Preliminaries - Day 2

Hifumi struggled his way through the morning session, winning with penalties or small scores against rivals who had done sincere homework to be able to take him to the wire. Kelvin Ray (FRA), Marko Jorgic (SRB) and Valerio Accogli (ITA) did incredible work on the tatami of the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, each raising their delegation’s hopes of being there for the rare moment of seeing an underdog surpass a giant of the game. It was close, very close.

Hifumi Abe proved yet again that his ability is not confined to sharp ippon throws and tactically proficient exchanges. He has star quality, an unteachable element that surprises everyone somehow, even when it is expected. We know he can do it but still we get the feeling that his understanding of the right position and moment are unworldly.

He beat Takeoka in their semi-final, two yuko scores on his side of the board at the full-time bell. Abe would be fighting for a fifth world title.

On the other half of the draw, full of relief and hope, everyone knowing that both Japanese champions were far away from them, there was a series of committed campaigns to win the second spot in the final. Emomali (TJK), Vieru (MDA), Lima (BRA), Abdulaev (RUS), Yondonperenlei (MGL), Garcia Torne (ESP), were all capable of toppling the others and each unleashed their best judo for the occasion.

David Garcia Torne had the most incredible morning of them all. After only a minute of judo at this year’s world championships, he was thrown by Narmandakh Bayanmunkh (UAE) with a huge uchi-mata. It was so close to ippon, so close to him being out in the first round, but when waza-ari was called, he simply responded in the best way any judoka can and threw fro ippon. He won his next three contests by single yuko scores when under immense pressure. Yondonperenlei and Vieru among them. Garcia Torne would be joining Abe in the final.

An exhilarating morning session is certain to lead to an incredible final block. All medal contests and ceremonies can be followed live from 6pm local time on JudoTV.com