From that point on the contest open up a little and the attacks began to mount up for both competitors. However it slowed again in the last minute and both received their second shido. The stalemate continued to full time but Inal Tasoev opened the golden score period by throwing Lee for ippon with a massive sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi, suggesting that he could have done that all along.
Martti Puumaleinen (FIN) was hoping to add a Paris medal to his recent list of great medals but it was not to be. He faced a determined opponent for the first of two Paris Grand Slam +100 kg bronze medals. Toma Nikiforov (BEL), who was so close to reaching the final, swung underneath his Finnish opponent in less than 30 seconds and threw him with a seoi-otoshi for ippon. There was disappointment for one and satisfaction for the other but it was mutual respect that really shone through.
With 30 seconds to go, Inaneishvili (GEO) made a big mistake, attempting a sumi-gaeshi but without the necessary preparation, especially when facing a ne-waza expert such as Nakamura. The Japanese judoka capitalised as expected and held his opponent for ippon to take the bronze medal.
Final (+100 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (+100 kg)
