-90 kg: Macedo Takes the Crown

Final: Rafael Macedo (BRA) vs Mihail Latisev (MDA)

In the beginning there was no telling who might win. Furious exchanges and agile escapes littered the tatami, both judoka entirely committed to the task. However, Macedo is the number one seed for a reason and using his experience and immense skill he scored a first yuko with a minute and 20 seconds to go, breaking down Latisev’s defences, piece by piece.

In the next exchange, Macedo accelerated again and threw with a powerful seoi-otoshi, earned a waza-ari, transitioned into ne-waza perfectly and finished the contest with a pin.

After the final Macedo said, "I’m very happy to be here in Lima and defend my title after winning here last year too. Coming from Brazil, the short flight and similar weather make it feel comfortable to compete here. I knew the final against Latisev would be tough as I lost to him earlier this year, in Astana, but we used a new strategy this time and it worked. "

Bronze medal contest: Keagan Young (CAN) vs Guilherme Schimidt (BRA)

Twenty-five year old Keagan Young has never fought in a World Judo Tour final block before and as the Olympic qualification period only opened recently this is the perfect time to do it. Up against double Olympian and Masters medallist Schimidt, the bronze medal would not be an easy prize to win.

Young, a little raw in his attacking style, left space to be countered but avoided any serious issues in normal time. However, Schimidt looked calm and well prepared and at no time rushed his game. Twenty seconds into extra time he threw with an osoto-gair and in case there would be a review and no score given, he pinned Young for 5 seconds, securing the win.

Bronze medal contest: Kenny Komi Bedel (ITA) vs Yahor Varapayeu (BLR)

Kenny Bedel attacked first and continued to apply pressure in ne-waza, right from the off. He had earned a yuko immediately, from his o-uchi-gari and Varapayeu had been warned that this would not be a walk-over. For two minutes he tried but Bedel was doing a perfect job of keeping him out.

This changed with 80 seconds to go when Varapayeu managed to equalise, effectively rolling the fight back to the beginning; a yuko each is the same as no score for either, both still had everything to fight for. As the golden score period began, Bedel decided he must leave no doubt and threw his opponent immediately after “Hajime,” that bronze medal was his!