Final: Japan vs Russia
With -70 kg being the first category in play, 2025 world champion Shiho Tanaka (JPN) stepped forward to face world and Olympic medallist Madina Taimazova (RUS). It was a close contest only decided by a yuko in Tanaka’s favour, in golden score. Japan were 1-0 up with Murao coming on next.
Egor Andoni (RUS) had the task of facing Japan’s new -90 kg double world champion and for the first 2 and a half minutes, he did well to keep things even. At that point though, Murao opened up and threw with uchi-mata to earn a yuko, doubling his lead just a little while later. Andoni gave a good account of himself but Murao has been untouchable through his stay in Azerbaijan. It was 2-0 to Japan.
Mao Arai (JPN) and Daria Rechkalova (RUS), the former aiming to finish things in the first exchange in ne-waza. Rechkalova had to defend for a long time but did so very well and earned the chance to start again. She became much more active and applied pressure, Arai conceding two penalties. However as extra time began, Rechkalova attacked without then necessary preparation and was duly countered. Japan had their third win and just needed one more t=for the world mixed team title.
Tamerlan Bashaev was Russia’s pick for the final in the heavyweight category. He faced Kenta Nakano, one of few judoka ever to throw Tasoev, albeit a short-lived lead on that occasion. Bashaev grappled for position and managed to catch Nakano for a yuko but with a lot of time left in the clock, he remained in a precarious lead. With 44 seconds left, Nakano attacked with a huge o-guruma. It took everything Bashaev had to defend it but he managed to and so kept hold of his lead. Bashaev had won Russia’s first point of the match.
Akari Omori (JPN) and Irina Zueva (RUS) were ready to fight the -57 kg contest. The Russian judoka began more aggressively and came close to tying Omori up on the floor. She continued to attack in tachi-waza once it was clear she couldn’t secure the osae-komi. Omori struggled to find her position but managed to turn in just once and caught Zueva for a yuko but in the transition phase the latter came close to applying a shime-waza, very close. With a minute to go, Omori was gaining confidence and she threw again, this time her sode-tsuri-komi-goshi scored a waza-ari. She had done enough. At 4-2 the gold was japan’s.
Japan and Russia gave the crowd an incredible day of judo, from the preliminary rounds of the morning session to the final block. No effort was spared by either team. Russia’s silver medal is testament to their strength and depth while Japan’s technical mastery left no doubts. The title had been claimed by an exemplary team.
Bronze medal match: Mongolia vs Uzbekistan
The first weight category for the bronze medal contest was to be -70 kg. Mongolia’s -63 kg world medallist Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo (MGL) was up against a determined Shirinjon Yuldosheva (UZB) but the former couldn’t keep her opponent out as she had hoped. A yuko in extra time sent the first point to Uzbekistan. Number Murtozoev (UZB) then took a second point for the team when he threw for ippon in the -90 kg contest.
At +70 kg, Adyasuren Amarsaikhan pulled a point back for Mongolia with a shime-waza two and a half minutes in. She nodded at Gonchigsuren Batkhuyag who would have the task of taking on Turoboyev in an attempt to equalise. It wasn’t to be, Turoboyev staying in control throughout the contest, extending his team’s lead to 3-1.
At -57 kg, Shukurjon Aminova couldn’t quite bring it home for Uzbekistan, losing out via penalties against Sosorbaram Lkhagvasuren (MGL). It was 3-2 to Uzbekistan with Shakhram Ahadov in the driving seat and ready to take the win for his country. Uranbayar Odgerel was under a great deal of pressure and when the first yuko came against him, he had no choice but to find a new gear.
Ahadov defended his score perfectly, his team barely able to stand still in the athletes’ box next to the tatami, such was their excitement. Uzbekistan had their bronze, won after every member of the team fought with spirit and passion, everyone contributing to the final result.
Bronze medal match: Georgia vs China
Sophio Somkishvili was unable to compete in the final block for Georgia and as they didn’t have a reserve listed, it would mean stopping on to the tatami of the national Gymnastics Arena already a point down. Nino Gulbani soon made up for it though, defeating Lu Liu with a perfectly placed shime-waza. At 1-1, there was everything to play for.
World champion Luka Maisuradze (GEO) added to his team’s hopes by holding Heblige Bu for ippon on the ground, taking the scoreline to 2-1. Fuchun Huang (CHN) then had the unnerving task of taking on Irakli Demetrashvili to hold back the onslaught but he was unable to halt proceedings. Georgia was now 3-1 up ahead of Eteri Liparteliani’s contest. Georgia may have thought they had it in the bag!
Nan Wang stepped up for China and at the end of the first minute threw the Georgian heroine for a yuko. Fuelled by the need to close the gap, Liparteliani countered in the next exchange and took the lead with a waza-ari. After one more yuko was added to Georgia’s side of the board, the time ticked away and Georgia could celebrate a new world mixed team bronze.
China had an amazing day and although they leave the arena without the medal, they do have the knowledge that they are real contenders on the world stage. China will be back, no doubt.
