Nurali Emomali (TJK) and Mukhriddin Tilovov (UZB) fought for the first bronze medal in a Central Asian derby. Acrobatic from the outset, two masters of tension and leverage looked for both traditional and unorthodox techniues in an effort to take the lead. It was a seoi-otoshi which finally set them apart, Tilovov dropping under his opponent at the halfway point to register a yuko on the board. With plenty of time left on the clock, Emomali hoped to equalise or even overtake but as the time ticked away the crowd grew louder and Tilovov knew he had done enough.
Abdurakhim Nutfulloev and Artyom Shturbabin fought hard to join their teammate, Tilovov, on the podium, competing for the second of two bronze medals available. Both attacked throughout, Nutfulloev grappling more while Shturbabin was dangerous with his feet, feet which eventually countered Nutfulloev for a yuko almost at the final bell. Shturbabin would join Tilovov on the podium to hang the Uzbek flag twice at -66 kg.
Yet another member of the Uzbek team then stepped up to fight for a medal, Zamohshari Bekmurodov making it to the final to face Ramazan Abdulaev (IJF) for gold. However, the contest had barely begun when Abdulaev secured a hold down to earn his ticket to the top of the rostrum. It is remarkable that the Uzbek -66 kg fighterds all made it to medal contests, leaving the arena with a silver, 2 bronzes and a 5th place. Thast impressive but the gold belongs to Abdulaev!
Final (-66 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-66 kg)
