-100 kg: Kostoev Is Too Strong / IJF.org

When you've already won the Paris Grand Slam in February and just emerged from a continental final a week ago, it's a sign that you're in good shape. When you arrive in Dushanbe as the number one seed, you know you're likely to scare off more than one judoka who might stand in your way. This was somewhat the case for Dzhafar Kostoev (UAE) who breezed through the preliminary rounds without batting an eyelid.

Final Dzhafar Kostoev (UAE) vs Dzhakhongir Madzhidov (TJK)

In the first round, he faced Fuchun Huang (CHN) and knocked him out with a thunderous ura-nage for ippon, in less than a minute. It was then Oliver Barratt’s (GBR) turn to bear the brunt of Kostoev's tornado. Who could stop him?

Final Dzhafar Kostoev (UAE) and Dzhakhongir Madzhidov (TJK).

We had to wait until the final against Dzhakhongir Madzhidov (TJK) to find out. To the cheers of the crowd, the latter had indeed qualified to face the UAE judoka. Unfortunately for him, today Dzhafar Kostoev was too strong. His first attack was powerful and the landing in a bridge position of Madzhidov was clear. It was ippon for Kostoev and the United Arab Emirates.

Bronze medal contest: Fuchun Huang (CHN) vs Baymyrat Majanov (TKM).

China showed great things throughout the weekend, particularly in the women's categories, but the men were not far behind. Fuchun Huang's (CNH) qualification for the first bronze medal contest is proof of this. He faced Baymyrat Baymyrat (TKM) and gave him no chance, pinning him down in the early stages of the contest after a nice moment of groundwork.

Bronze medal contest: Karomatullo Khakimov (TJK) vs Oliver Barratt (GBR).

Karomatullo Khakimov (TJK) and Oliver Barratt (GBR) both had hopes of reaching the podium too. A powerful o-soto-gari propelled Barrett on to his back for a clear ippon. This time, the public could explode with joy to celebrate a new medal for the host's country.

Medals, cheques and flowers were presented by Mr Armen Bagdasarov, IJF Head Referee Director, and Mr Ahmadjon Safarov, Head of Media of the Tajikistan Judo Federation.

Final (-100 kg)

KOSTOEV Dzhafar (UAE) vs MADZHIDOV Dzhakhongir (TJK)

Bronze Medal Fights (-100 kg)

HUANG Fuchun (CHN) vs MAJANOV Baymyrat (TKM)

KHAKIMOV Karomatullo (TJK) vs BARRATT Oliver (GBR)

Final Results (-100 kg)

1. KOSTOEV Dzhafar (UAE)

2. MADZHIDOV Dzhakhongir (TJK)

3. HUANG Fuchun (CHN)

3. KHAKIMOV Karomatullo (TJK)

5. MAJANOV Baymyrat (TKM)

5. BARRATT Oliver (GBR)