In the -90 kg category, Shakhzodxuja Sharipov (UZB) was known to be in great form, having won the OTP Group Tashkent Grand Slam at the end of February. He had already tasted a continental title in 2024 but that was in the junior category. He is now the new senior Asian champion after his victory against his teammate Nurbek Murtozoev. It was a fine one-two finish for Uzbekistan, with the two third-place finishes secured by Komei Kawabata (JPN) and Meiirlan Maxim (KAZ).
In the -100 kg category, the surprise came from the victory of Said Sadrudinov (BRN), unranked in the World Ranking List and who arrived in Bangkok as a total outsider. He defeated Dzhafar Kostoev (UAE) in the final, with the other top-place finishes going to Dzhakhongir Madzhidov (TJK) and Caramnob Sagaipov (LBN), both bronze medallists.
In the final men's weight category the level was high and it was ultimately Seungyeob Lee (KOR), a finalist in France in February at the Paris Grand Slam, who prevailed against former world number one and bronze medallist at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Temur Rakhimov (TJK). Minjong Kim (KOR) and Emirkhan Zholdoshkaziev (KGZ) completed the podium.
It was the Japanese women's team that allowed Japan to win their only title of the day, thanks to Kurena Ideka in the -78 kg category. She defeated Minju Kim (KOR), leaving Marjona Kuchimova (UZB) and Hongtao Wu (CHN) in third place.
China, heavyweight specialists, placed both of their representatives in the final. Gold went to Jinesinuer Ayiman and silver to Xinran Niu. Mongolia with Adiyasuren Amarsaikhan and Korea with Hyeonji Lee, also placed, winning bronze.
With the individual competition now over, it's time for the 11 national teams to compete on Monday 28th April.