Final: Harsh Singh (IND) vs Joshua Katz (AUS)
Harsh Singh has been exciting to watch from the first “Hajime” of the morning session. Fast, agile and focused, he has been a nightmare for every opponent. He earned himself a place in the final after seeing off a hefty challenge from Antun Neto in their semi-final.
In the final Singh met Josh Katz, one of Australia’s Olympians. Perhaps the anticipated winner was the latter. However, Singh kept his foot on the accelerator and bombarded Katz with attacks. Although none of them scored, the barrage put Katz on the back foot for most of the contest, signposting a finish that became more obvious as time went on.
With less than a minute to go and with the Indian athlete’s attack rate remaining high, on of them finally scored a waza-ari and from there it was plain sailing. India already had a second gold medal as it was Singh’s teammate Asmita Dey who won the -48 kg women’s category just minutes earlier.
Bronze medal contest: Regan Wali (KEN) vs Charlie Ayre (ENG)
Charlie arrived in great form having not long come home from his first World Judo Tour medal win. He was confident and well prepared but hadn’t counted on the experience of Olympian Josh Katz (AUS) getting the better of him. Therefore Katz went to the final and Ayre dropped into the bronze medal contest.
Regan Wali was a fantastic surprise for everyone spectating in the SEC Arena in Glasgow. The Kenyan stepped on to the mat with inexhaustible fitness and a steadfast will to win. He might not have been one of the top names at the beginning of the day but he is certainly better known now! However, Wali was no match for Ayre who put two scores on the board early and still didn’t slow down. The Englishman had his medal, albeit not the colour he had planned for.
Bronze medal contest: Tumiso Phuthego (BOT) vs Pedro Carlos Antun Neto (AUS)
This was a faster contest than most in the final block so far. Antun Neto dominated from the outset and in an early ne-waza exchange he delivered a perfect juji-gatame entry and offered no chance for escape. This bronze medal was heading to Australia.
Medallists
GOLD Harsh Singh (IND)
SILVER Josh Katz (AUS)
BRONZE Charlie Ayre (ENG)
BRONZE Pedro Carlos Antun Neto (AUS)
-66 kg: Frascadore Wins a Second Gold for Canada
Final: Georgios Balarjashvili (CYP) vs Julien Frascadore (CAN)
Pan-American champion and grand prix medallist Frascadore entered the final as the man to beat, despite his opposition being the defending champion from Birmingham in 2022. His CV was an apt warning of his capability and although it took until a minute into golden score to register the victory, the whole contest went his way. A 5-second hold earned him the gold medal in extra time.
Balarjishvili wanted the gold again but he showed great respect and professionalism in defeat, the judo values at his core.
Bronze medal contest: Michael Fryer (ENG) vs Michael Agbo (NGR)
Michael Agbo was a revelation in the morning session, beating Mauritian and Australian judoka on the way to the semi-final. There he lost against the experience of Frascadore (CAN) but his place in the final block was still confirmed.
Michael Fryer had entered the arena at opening time with golden hopes but he lost to the 2022 Commonwealth champion Balarjashvili in their quarter-final and so he would have to fight and beat Agbo to secure a medal of any kind, and that’s exactly what he did. With well-timed ashi-waza and confident tactical awareness, Fryer took the bronze comfortably.
Bronze medal contest: Vas Middleton (AUS) vs Petros Christodoulides (CYP)
Christodoulides had a great morning, only losing to his teammate in their shared semi-final. His first Commonwealth Games since moving up to -66 kg after the Paris Olympic cycle, the Cypriot had high hopes of a podium finish. In the final block it was to be 20-year-old Australian Vas Middleton standing between him and the podium.
At the end of normal time, only a yuko separated the two, in favour of Christodoulides. Sharper, more focused, he ensured he started ahead of Middleton from beginning to end, never putting himself at risk.
Medallists
GOLD Julien Frascadore (CAN)
SILVER Georgios Balarjashvili (CYP)
BRONZE Michael Fryer (ENG)
BRONZE Petros Christodoulides (CYP)