This is where things got complicated for Bayramov, who could not find a solution and saw Yusifov pass him to reach the final. The latter had previously eliminated Marton Andrasi (HUN) by waza-ari at the end of the suspense of a golden score period of more than four minutes, then Olivier Naert (BEL) also by a waza-ari and finally Lior Rafailov (ISR), a tactical victory.
In the second part of the draw, we witnessed a waltz of favourites. Michel Augusto (BRA) bowed out against Luka Modebadze (GEO), who himself after another victory was defeated by the French Enzo Jean with an armlock.
After a great run, Jean was entitled to believe in his lucky star to reach the final but he found Sherzod Davlatov (KAZ), bronze medallist at the Junior World Championships Olbia 2021, standing in front of him, who did not offer him this pleasure. Jean eliminated, Davlatov joined Ahmad Yusifov in the final.
The day showed us some really skilful ashi-waza and once again that was the case in the final, with Sherzod Davlatov (KAZ) producing an instant ashi-waza in reaction to his opponent’s own movement; waza-ari scored but immediately concluded on the floor for ippon. The gold medal was for Davlatov and Kazakhstan in the wake of good results at the Olympic Games.
Lior Rafailov (ISR) and Enzo Jean (FRA) battled for a bronze medal. The first score came from Rafailov with a yoko-tomoe-nage for waza-ari that caught the French judoka off guard. Rafailov seemed in control until the last twenty seconds, when Jean engaged his leg with a powerful ko-uchi-gari. Rafailov didn't move at all until Jean changed the direction and propelled his opponent flat on his back with a form of a makikomi for a clear ippon. The second bronze medal was for France.
Artem Lesiuk (UKR) and Turan Bayramov (AZE) competed to complete the podium. The first move was one of the most spectacular of the day, with Lesiuk taking off above Bayramov after the latter produced a standing seoi-otoshi. The landing was not fully on the back though and it was given a waza-ari. The second waza-ari was almost as spectacular, a little lower, but Bayramov earned the needed second waza-ari to secure the bronze medal.
Final (-60 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-60 kg)
