First in Abu Dhabi last year and second in Austria a few weeks ago, Cédric Revol hoped to once again be able to reach the final block of a Word Judo Tour tournament. It was without counting on Mehrzod Sufiev (TJK) who ended up scoring waza-ari from a counter to conclude the golden score.
In Pool B, it was ultimately an outsider who fared best, Emiel Jaring (NED) qualifying for the semi-final, where he faced Ayub Bliev. However, as we have already pointed out, Bliev was in particularly good shape and he did not give Jaring a chance, opening the doors wide to the final with a magnificent seoi-otoshi in golden score.
In the second part of the draw it was Luka Mkheidze (FRA) who attracted all eyes. The Tokyo 2021 Olympic bronze medalist is in the last part of his preparation for a Games at home. Serious and focused, Mkheidze won his first contest against Youssry Samy (EGY) either a very low seoi-otoshi for a waza-ari. In the next round he defeated Yunus Emre Esenboga (TUR). After scoring waza-ari, Luka Mkheidze pushed his opponent to make a mistake, the latter being disqualified. Two waza-ari scores later confirmed the fate of his next opponent, Tsogt-Ochir Byambajav (MGL). In the semi-final it was Tornike Tsjakadoea (NED) who gave in to the French steamroller.
The final therefore pitted Bliev and Mkheidze against each other. It looked to be tight and it was. Neither Bliev nor Mkheidze could throw. They were close several times but close is not enough. It was a strong kumi-kata battle accompanied by difficult sequences on the floor, especially for the French judoka who was caught once with a pin, but was able to escape. The golden score period started at the same pace but after a second kata-guruma attempt from Mkheidze, Bliev countered with a te-waza to score waza-ari and take the gold.
Turkiye had the chance of a medal thanks to Salih Yildiz (TUR) who faced Tornike Tsjakadoea (NED) and the Turkish judoka transformed his chance into real bronze after his opponent was penalised a third time in golden score. The bronze medal was for Salih Yildiz and for Türkiye.
The second bronze medal contest was between Tsogt-Ochir Byambajav (MGL) and Emiel Jaring (NED). 2 minutes and 16 seconds into golden score, after a rough kumi-kata battle, Emiel Jaring eventually scored a waza-ari with kata-guruma. The bronze medal was for the Netherlands.
Final (-60 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-60 kg)
