In the semi-final, Yondonperenlei enlisted all efforts to take advantage over Taikoh Fujisaka (JPN), without much reference on the world circuit, except for a second place at the Paris Grand Slam in 2021, not bad.
The hardest part was done for the Mongolian, although he still had to face Obid Dzhebov (TJK) to win the gold medal. 42nd on the Ranking List, Obid Dzhebov remains on a brilliant victory in Dushanbe, in his home, a few weeks ago. Visibly in good shape, he repeated the performance of reaching the final of a tournament on the circuit. Before that Dzhebov had no international reference. This is no longer the case. What was a surprise at the beginning of June is no longer so.
Mongolia has their hero, and his name is Yondonperenlei Baskhuu! 🥇🇲🇳#JudoUlaanbaatar #Judo #Ulaanbaatar #Mongolia #Sport #OlympicQualifiers #RoadToParis2024 #WJT #Olympics pic.twitter.com/3UEI8UdbgM
— Judo (@Judo) June 23, 2023
After a combination of movements, from uchi-mata, to yoko-tomoe-nage, Obid Dzhebov was the first in action pushing Baskhuu Yondonperenlei to be penalised with a first shido, but the Tajik was not long to be penalised as well. Despite those two penalties, the final was entertaining and generated hoorahs from the public who were of course supporting their hero. With the second shido, Dzhebov started to feel the pressure and the golden score began. After having escaped the third penalty for a while, Dzhebov received it to offer the gold medal to Baskhuu Yondonperenlei and the host country.
In the first match for a bronze medal, the United Arab Emirates offered themselves their first chance of a medal with Narmandakh Bayanmunkh (UAE) against Yashar Najafov (AZE). The latter scored ippon with a koshi-guruma that literally encrusted his opponent on the tatami. It was a bronze medal for Yashar Najafov.
Mongolia had the possibility of placing a second man on the podium with Erkhembayar Battogtokh (MGL) opposed by Taikoh Fujisaka (JPN). As Fujisaka was unable to compete the bronze medal went to Erkhembayar Battogtokh.