This contest was almost expected to be a walk in the park for Murao but in judo anything is always possible, which makes it an extraordinary spectacle that is always renewed. So it was Sogenov who scored first, a clean waza-ari from a moment of absence by the Japanese judoka who let himself be carried away on a shoulder movement with almost perfect timing. That was without counting on Murao's resources, who a few seconds later launched an o-guruma of extraordinary magnitude that left no chance for Islam Sogenov; a good try nonetheless for the Serb.
For the other favourites, things were a little more complicated since none of the other top four managed to reach the quarters. Mansur Lorsanov (IJF) was beaten by Kenny Komi Bedel (ITA), Theodoros Tselidis (GRE) by Artur Kanevets (FIN) and Rafael Macedo (BRA) by Ikhvan Edilsultanov (IJF).
The first semi-final therefore opposed Murao and Bedel for a logical victory of the Japanese judoka, without forcing his talent. In the second semi-final we finally found Frank De Witt, recently moved up from -81 kg and who, after several unsuccessful attempts, seemed to be finding his bearings in his new category. He was opposed by the other Brazilian judoka, Marcelo Fronckowiak. After a bearhug attempt, De Witt relaxed and offered the possibility to Fronckowiak, on a platter, to send him high in the venue with an impressive koshi-waza.
The final therefore opposed Sanshiro Murao and Marcelo Fronckowiak (BRA). A little passive while he was observing his opponent, Murao was penalised with a first shido. One of Sanshiro Murao's preferred techniques, he has several in fact, is o-soto-gari. Against Fronckowiak he couldn't not go at full power and that was indeed a necessity, as the Brazilian judoka was close to countering him, but Murao didn't release the pressure, scored a waza-ari and concluded with a hold down for ippon. This is gold medal number 7 for Murao in a grand slam and number seven for team Japan in Baku this year.
The first contest for a bronze opposed Islam Sogenov (SRB) and Frank De Witt (NED). For his first contest in a World Judo tour final block, Islam Sogenov was not shy and he put pressure on his experienced opponent immediately, forcing him to be penalised. It was then Sogenov's turn to receive a shido for a false attack and a second one a few seconds later. De Witt had passed the storm and it was time for golden score. A second penalty was given to De Witt, but that actually initiated his next attack, an o-uchi-gari for yuko. This is a first bronze medal for Frank De Witt in his new weight category.
Artur Kanevets (FIN) and Kenny Komi Bedel (ITA) completed the poster of the final block. Bedel was the first to score with an ashi-waza for a yuko and again with uchi-mata to double the score. The third score came fast, this time with an uchi-mata turned into an o-uchi-gari. It was a festival of scores for a bronze medal for Kenny Komi Bedel.
Final (-90 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-90 kg)
