At the top of the draw, Minjong Kim began an ideal journey that would take him to the semi-final. In the first round, he defeated the Turkish hopeful Ibrahim Tataroglu. Aged only 18, Tataroglu could do nothing against Kim. He still has a future ahead of him and we will see him again in the years to come.
Finland expected a lot from Martti Puumalainen, winner of the World Judo Master in 2023, but he quickly lost to Ushangi Kokauri (AZE), himself beaten by Kim.
In pool B, the quarter-final looked like a remake of the final of the 2022 World Championships in Tashkent, between Andy Granda (CUB) and Tatsuru Saito (JPN). The Cuban had won. This time, after a long golden score period, it was Saito who won with a final uchi-mata, which Granda had stopped expecting.
In pool C, Temur Rakhimov (TJK) had a close call against the German Erik Abramov, who scored a waza-ari on him right away, but Rakhimov finally pulled himself together and secured his qualification for the semi-final where he faced an opponent he knew well, Teddy Riner.
He started his day with a tough contest against Magomedomar Magomedomarov (UAE) which ended in golden score. In the next round the eleven-time world champion and double Olympic champion faced Guram Tushishvili (GEO), again two athletes who know each other well. The contest began with strong pressure from Tushishvili who took the initiative. But with a good anticipation, the Frenchman countered Tushishvili for a clear and clean ippon. Tushishvili was subsequently disqualified for an attitude contrary to the spirit of judo.
Semi-finals
Minjong Kim (KOR) vs Tatsuru Saito (JPN)
Temur Rakhimov (TJK) vs Teddy Riner (FRA)
Repechage
Ushangi Kokauri (AZE) vs Andy Granda (CUB)
Alisher Yusupov (UZB)