Technical Analysis, Day 2: A Range of Techniques Increases the Probability of Winning

“I must begin with Heydarov who has shown today why he is world number one. Even if he struggles or can’t quite get the throws to work, he still tries and attacks and brings a good feeling. No-one can always score but his attitude is positive and that counts for a lot. It was an interesting semi-final with Mammadaliyev and he too reached that point of the competition with positive judo.

I was impressed while watching the second semi-final at -73 kg. Khazhaliev (AIN) brought a desire to execute ippon judo all day. He used a beautiful o-uchi-gari against Nomonov (UZB), a ko-uchi against Cena (KOS). Against Sherov (TJK) he lost to a well-timed sumi-gaeshi for a textbook waza-ari.

We saw some very well structured fights even among those who didn’t make it to the final block. Gabler’s (GER) ura-nage was really strong against Lee (KOR). He almost lost it during the technique, leaning a long way back but he rescued it with really tight control. His seoi-otoshi was also very fast earlier in the day.

Also at -73 kg, Estrada (CUB) controlled the arms of his opponent to drive him to the floor with a stunning o-uchi-gari in round two. He didn’t come all the way through but he showed a sharpness that indicates good training and a sound knowledge of the rules.

At -63 kg Piovesana (AUT) can fight against everyone without fear and can actually beat everybody. She not only went to the final but won it against an Olympic medallist, sticking to her plan and never letting her engagement drop. Beauchemin-Pinard’s groundwork almost caught her but Piovesana resisted well and found her way back in. She threw throughout the day with power. She can adapt her pick-ups and seoi-otoshi techniques depending on her opponent but still with them being successful. We also saw a well chosen sumi-gaeshi from her in the round of 16 which reappeared in the final. I like to see a range of techniques and she really showed her adaptability here.

The Canadian showed that her status is not an accident though; she does her homework well and is always professional in the way she approaches things. Her ne-waza is also not just a couple of techniques to pass the time but is progressive and functional. She was given a lot of time on the ground against Ozbas (HUN) in the semi-final because she was constantly progressing through the technique.

Ozbas did a great job in an open field too, coming to the final block. Her seoi-otoshi into kesa gatame in round two was really impressive, giving no space and being launched without hesitation, but what is key was that her preparation to throw was precise and her preparation to transition into ne-waza was also clean.

At -70 kg I expected the double world champion Barbara Matic to reach the final. Against another high level athlete, Polleres (AUT) she used the soto-makikomi without any apology, with power enough to confirm her quality.

Marie-Eve Gahie continued her campaign from Paris and here she applied similar power. It was the right final in this category.”

There was a lot to comment on, on day two, with technique, flexibility, positive attitudes and respect all on show. Day 3 will arrive soon and with a premium account on JudoTV.com you can follow not only the action but all the statistics, the predictions and the full Golden Score show broadcast.