In each round, Ishihara had to access new reserves to win, the score not always being a good indicator of the energy expended. In the first round, he won against Ibrahim Aliyev (AZE) with an o-soto-gari first, concluding with an immobilisation towards the end of the contest. Against the Finn, Turpal Djoukaev (FIN), he scored a waza-ari quickly, but had a hard time maintaining his score. The fights against Giorgi Chikhelidze (GEO) and Vusal Galandarzade (AZE) were not easier, but despite all the challenges, Tatsuki Ishihara managed to reach the final.
However, it was Rashid Mammadaliyev's performance that attracted the public's attention. Third in Paris two weeks ago, Mammadaliyev had the opportunity to shine in front of his home crowd, which he did not fail to do. A first victory against Angsarbek Gainullin (KAZ) by a yuko, then against Bagrati Niniashvili (GEO), also by a yuko, during golden score, was followed by a magnificent ippon against Manuel Parlati (ITA) in the quarter-finals. The crowd got louder in the semi-finals for a victory snatched from Abubakr Sherov (TJK). Azerbaijan delivered itself another medal guarantee.
The final was between Tatsuki Ishihara (JPN) and Rashid Mammadaliyev (AZE), but unfortunately Mammadaliyev was unable to to compete. The victory went to Ishihara for the sixth gold medal of team Japan in Baku.
Giorgi Chikhelidze (GEO) and Abubakr Sherov (TJK) fought for the first bronze medal. The medal went to Abubakr Sherov who scored with a very right yoko-guruma for waza-ari.
Ryuga Tanaka (JPN) and Vusal Galandarzade (AZE) had one more chance to step on the podium. The public could train their voices in preparation for the final and it worked well, Vusal Galandarzade scoring a yuko with less than a minute to go with a very physical ko-soto-fake. This is bronze medal number three for Azerbaijan.
Final (-73 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-73 kg)
