“Firstly, Khojazoda (TJK) at -73kg was amazing today, taking out Lombardo (ITA) and the newly crowned world champion Nils Stump (SUI) before also dealing with Tereshvili (GEO). It’s important to recognise when a nation’s working hard to raise the level for their athletes and Tajikistan is a perfect, current example of this.
Hashimoto was like always and it was expected of him to come to the final but he was fighting very well, with confidence, something that all judoka need to become winners. This side of Hashimoto is a great example to the next generation.
I like Pelivan, who also beat Stump today, in the repechage. I really like to watch Moldovan fighters who always fight hard and with everything they have. This is not just today in Budapest but throughout the World Judo Tour. They bring power and heart and it is great to see.
At -81kg the biggest surprise was Schimidt (BRA), who, although highly ranked in the world, is not always among the names of the favourites. All of his fights brought big and clever judo and to beat Olympic champion Nagase (JPN) and world champion Tato Grigalashvili (GEO) is no easy task, one most would fail at! He was strategically very good and working with all his power, had a very high level of endurance, beating Tato after 5 and a half minutes in golden score. Despite the length of the fight, it was a strong fight all the way and good for the spectators.
Casse (BEL), for me, is one of the best transition players and is always consistent in that phase. He can finish on he ground and this is a thorough approach. He won against Saeid Mollaei in a usual in semi-final match-up, by just a waza-ari, leaving Nagase and Mollaei to fight out a rematch of their Olympic final. What a treat for judo enthusiasts!
The -63kg category was not as explosive as we are used to but the semi-final between Takaichi (JPN) and Clarisse (FRA) was very strategic and also with plenty of movement. They know each other so well but still they always give everything and this time the Japanese fighter won in in golden score. It is judo, for legends to lose too.
Fazliu has fought so well all day including beating world champion Horikawa and world champion Takaichi, both from Japan. It is an outstanding performance and really highlights her dedication to training and the fantastic analysis being done by the team behind her. We saw Kelmendi and Krasniqi cheering her on from the tribune; what a support team that is! Judo is like that, with everyone appreciating the effort it takes to come to the top and everyone giving respect then those who came before them and those who will come next.
At -70kg there was a really good fight between Niizoe (JPN) and Van Dijke (NED) with the Japanese judoka losing via the head dive when she attempted a poorly placed uchi-mata. Van Dijke confirmed that she had also controlled the fight well by controlling final too and defeating a very strong version of Teltsidou (GRE) who had arrive in the final after a day of good judo and a really positive attitude.
My last point is to acknowledge the incredible attitude of fair play and sportsmanship always shown by Ai Tsunoda Roustant. Her focus, her will to win but also her respect for referees and opponents is so visible and is a great example for the children of our sport. I think this deserves as much recognition as any medal.”
Day 3 will bring us the heavyweights and will be, of course, available to watch on JudoTV.com.