The morning session had already produced a wealth of spectacular throws, with the athletes showing remarkable energy. The first semi-final brought together Melichar Skoda (CZE) and Ioane Abalaki (GEO). Earlier in the day, Skoda had produced one of the shocks of the category by eliminating top seed Kanta Ueyama (USA) with waza-ari. Abalaki, meanwhile, had progressed confidently, defeating opponents from the Netherlands, the IJF team and Uzbekistan.
The contest looked to be tilting towards Skoda when he registered a yuko and appeared capable of containing Abalaki’s repeated attacks. The seconds ticked away, bringing the Czech judoka ever closer to a world final. Yet with less than ten seconds remaining, Abalaki launched a desperate final attack that scored waza-ari and, with it, secured his ticket to the final. Skoda’s disappointment was immense, but the gestures of solidarity and fair play between the two judoka at the end of the bout were warmly applauded by the crowd.
The second semi-final pitted Kaito Tokita (JPN) against the second Georgian of the day, Giorgi Karchaidze. Tokita had enjoyed a straightforward opening against Ahmad Alobaidan (KSA) but was forced to dig deep against Subhan Akhundov (AZE) and once again against Adilzhan Zhaudinov (KAZ). Karchaidze, by contrast, had spent less time on the tatami, dispatching his earlier opponents calmly and efficiently inside the limit.
The outcome of this contest would determine whether the final would be an all-Georgian affair. The suspense did not last long: Tokita struck with a sharp uchi-mata for ippon, despite Karchaidze’s last-ditch counter attempt. The final was thus confirmed: Ioane Abalaki (GEO) vs Kaito Tokita (JPN).
Less active than his opponent, Tokita picked up a shido before the halfway mark. With under a minute left, Abalaki was also penalised, leaving the scores level at the end of regulation. Both judoka were visibly fatigued, and it was clear that the contest would be decided by mental resilience. Only twelve seconds into golden score, Abalaki unleashed a blistering sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi for a monumental ippon. Gold for Georgia, and Abalaki crowned world cadet champion.
In the first bronze medal contest, Kanta Ueyama (USA) produced a strong recovery performance to face Giorgi Karchaidze (GEO). Despite his best efforts, Ueyama could not stop the Georgian, who opened with a yuko before sealing victory with a clean seoi-otoshi for waza-ari. It was the fifth medal for Georgia at these championships.
The second bronze medal bout brought together Adilzhan Zhaudinov (KAZ) and Melichar Skoda (CZE). Zhaudinov proved too strong, controlling the contest and scoring two waza-ari to secure a solid victory, despite spirited resistance from Skoda.
Final (+90 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (+90 kg)
