Yehonatan Elbaz (ISR) has been competing internationally since 2015, working his way through cadets and juniors to seniors but without notable results. Two 7th places on the World Judo Tour certainly didn’t point to a place in the final block in Baku. Judo can be like that, a series of important moments that lead to something special can change a judoka’s life.
Tanaka and Makhmadbekov however are very well known names. Their listing in the final was not a huge shock even if others might have laid their claim to those spots. Their performances in the preliminaries left no doubt that they were in medal-winning shape.
Final: Ryuga Tanaka (JPN) vs Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov (UAE)
This was an all-action final despite the three penalties seen on the scoreboard at full time. Both judoka attacked and fought incredibly hard for their preferred grips. A little before the gong, Tanaka delivered the biggest attack of the contest, a huge sode-tsuri-komi-goshi, but somehow Makhmadbekov escaped.
In golden score, Tanaka continued to look more composed than his opponent and after just 43 extra seconds he gripped the belt and drove into Makhmadbekov with a powerful o-uchi-gari. Tanaka had earned a yuko and a gold medal, Japan’s 5th of this world championship.
Joyously, Ryuga Tanaka spoke after the final, “I’m very, very pleased! Two years ago, my older brother became world champion, so being able to achieve the same thing today means a lot to me and to my family. We also have a younger brother and now I hope that one day the three of us can all become world champions.
I’m also really happy to know that people are supporting me not only in Japan but all around the world. To feel that they are cheering for me and for judo makes this moment even more special.”
Bronze medal contest: Rashid Mammadaliyev (AZE) vs Daniel Cargnin (BRA)
It was clear that the home crowd had one of their favourites in play as the volume rose tremendously even before Rashid Mammadaliyev entered the arena. Daniel Cargnin would have the crowd to contend with as well as his opponent.
A stalemate ensued; a shido for one and then the other and eventually a second for Mammadaliyev. A minute into golden score and Cargnin had his second too. After three and a half minutes of extra time, Cargnin had to accept a third penalty, meaning Rashid Mammadaliyev had his first senior world championship medal.
Bronze medal contest: Yehonatan Elbaz (ISR) vs Dayyan Boulemtafes (FRA)
An exuberant Dayyan Boulemtafes arrived on the tatami full of energy, untamed and raw. He opened the contest with a waza-ari and followed it up quickly with a yuko, not letting any opportunity to score pass him by. Not much more time passed when, fully engaged, he went forward again and earned a second waza-ari.
Boulemtafes gave his opponent no chance at all to get into the rhythm of the contest. It was bronze for the 20-year-old Frenchman and a very positive fifth place for Yehonatan Elbaz (ISR). Both judoka have thrown their hats into the ring as far as the 2028 Olympic Games is concerned.