Wachid did not go far from joining Shamil though. He probably lacked a little tactical experience, experience which Shamil showed precisely throughout a competition day, one that, despite his successive victories, was complicated.
Supported by the public, Shamil nevertheless qualified for the final, offering himself the possibility of bringing a first medal to the host country of this debut Upper Austria Grand Prix. With a fifth place on the first day of competition and two seventh places, Austria expected a lot from the Borchashvili brothers and as one says, they did the job.
Half way through the final, it seemed that Borchashvili was more active than Svidrak as the Ukrainian judoka was penalised twice for passivity. It was actually not that he was doing nothing, it was simply Borchashvili who was always first to attack and unbalance his opponent. With the two competitors about to enter the last minute, the tendency was confirmed as Svidrak received his third penalty. For sure, if you ask Shamil Borchashvili how his day went, he will say that it was a hard day in the office, but in the end, he did it, at home, earning the first gold medal for Austria. Congratulations!
It was thus Dimitri Gochiladze (GEO) and Wachid Borchashvili (AUT) who came together in an effort to win the first bronze medal of the category. The match was tense and tight and until the last seconds, the public was hoping for an Austrian victory but with less than thirty seconds to go, Gochiladze launched his o-soto-gari combined with a tani-otoshi for ippon. This was a cold shower for Wachid Borchashvili and the audience went silent for a few seconds before congratulating both champions.
In the second bout for a bronze medal, Zaur Dvalashvili (GEO) and Jose Maria Mendiola Izquieta (ESP) faced off. We had to wait until the very last seconds to see Zaur Dvalashvili score waza-ari almost with the gong. This was the second bronze medal for Georgia in the category and the first ever for Dvalashvili in a grand prix.
Final (-81 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-81 kg)
