-60kg: Serikbayev's Tempo Was Way too High / IJF.org

Georgia was banking heavily on number one seed Giorgi Sardalashvili. Second in Tashkent at the start of the month and third in the world championships in 2023, Sardalashvili seemed to have good momentum. His start to the tournament seemed to confirm it since he won against Dauren Syukenov (KAZ) and Vache Adamyan (AUT) but in the following round the Georgian, despite the unconditional support of the public, could do nothing against Yam Wolczak (ISR), author of beautiful preliminary rounds in the morning.

Final, Yam Wolczak (ISR) vs Nurkanat Serikbayev (KAZ)

With Wolczak the outsider in the semi-final, the top of the table could see another underdog win, with the Frenchman Richard Vergnes who defied all predictions to find himself facing the Israeli judoka. It was ultimately the latter who won and offered himself a ticket to a first final on the World Judo Tour in his young career. In fact only 20 years old, Wolczak is however not completely unknown, since he obtained a very good 5th place during the Tashkent World Championships 2022 and again only just failed to reach the podium during the Zagreb Grand Prix 2023. This time a levelling off seems to be clear, the threshold has now been crossed.

Gold medallist, Nurkanat Serikbayev (KAZ)

We still had to know whom Yam Wolczak would face and it was Nurkanat Serikbayev (KAZ) who won the jackpot by making it through the elimination stages to the detriment of the other favourites, Balabay Aghayev (AZE) and Dilshot Khalmatov (UKR).

Talking about tempo, the final was a very good example as both judoka didn't put only 90 or 95% of their energy into it, but the full 100%. Attacks were coming from both sides at a crazy pace. Only one shido came going into the last minute on the clock and it was given to Wolczak. A winning score had to come and it came from Nurkanat Serikbayev with a sumi-gaeshi for a waza-ari. This was enough to win the gold medal, a well deserved medal for Nurkanat Serikbayev.

Bronze medal contest, Giorgi Sardalashvili (GEO) vs Balabay Aghayev (AZE)

A medal chance loomed for Georgia with Giorgi Sardalashvili (GEO) who found himself facing Balabay Aghayev (AZE) for a bronze medal. What a contest that was, intense and exciting. The golden score period was necessary to deduce the winner though and unfortunately for Georgia it went to Balabay Aghayev with a low tai-otoshi for waza-ari. The bronze medal was for Balabay Aghayev.

Bronze medal contest, Tornike Tsjakadoea (NED) vs Richard Vergnes (FRA)

Tornike Tsjakadoea (NED) and Richard Vergnes (FRA) qualified for the second contest for a bronze medal. Tsjakadoea took the lead with a low sode-tsuri-komi-goshi for waza-ari putting a tag on the victory. The second waza-ari came during the last minute of the contest with a sumi-gaeshi from Tornike Tsjakadoea. The bronze medal goes to the Netherlands.

Medals, cheques and flowers were presented by Mr Shengeli Pitskhelauri, Deputy Head of the State Security Service of Georgia and world medallist, and Mr Manuel Cortes, IJF Referee Supervisor

Final (-60 kg)

WOLCZAK Yam (ISR) vs SERIKBAYEV Nurkanat (KAZ)

Bronze Medal Fights (-60 kg)

SARDALASHVILI Giorgi (GEO) vs AGHAYEV Balabay (AZE)

TSJAKADOEA Tornike (NED) vs VERGNES Richard (FRA)

Final Results (-60 kg)

1. SERIKBAYEV Nurkanat (KAZ)

2. WOLCZAK Yam (ISR)

3. AGHAYEV Balabay (AZE)

3. TSJAKADOEA Tornike (NED)

5. SARDALASHVILI Giorgi (GEO)

5. VERGNES Richard (FRA)

7. BAYRAMOV Turan (AZE)

7. KHALMATOV Dilshot (UKR)