Tamerlan Bashaev (RUS) reminded everyone why he remains one of the division's reference points. After opening his campaign against home judoka Li Ruixuan (CHN), he removed top seed Ushangi Kokauri (AZE) from the title race before producing perhaps his most impressive performance in the semi-finals, dispatching Martti Puumalainen (FIN) in just 41 seconds with a massive seoi-otoshi for ippon. Efficient and clinical, the Russian rarely looked troubled on his way to another World Judo Tour final.
Across the draw, Hyoga Ota (JPN) continued to confirm his growing reputation among the heavyweights. Victories over Mikita Sviryd (CRO) and Denis Batchaev (RUS) earned him a semi-final against double Olympic champion Lukas Krpalek (CZE). The Japanese judoka stayed focused throughout a demanding golden score contest before finally securing the winning score, booking a final appearance that symbolised the changing balance between established champions and emerging contenders.
Bashaev had looked in formidable form throughout the day and carried that confidence into the final. Ota, however, had already shown he was capable of upsetting some of the biggest names in the category and was determined to finish his tournament in the same fashion. The contest remained finely balanced until Bashaev produced one final moment of brilliance. Launching a spectacular seoi-otoshi, he drove the Japanese judoka cleanly onto his back for ippon, bringing the Qingdao Grand Prix to a spectacular conclusion.
Bashaev declared, "It feels amazing, especially since I lost my last two finals to Ota. Today was a good day; I honestly can't believe it. As for what changed? It might sound strange but for the first time ever, I didn't drink coffee before my contests. Aside from that, I’ve absolutely loved it here. The people in Qingdao are incredibly hospitable, the city is beautiful and I definitely want to come back next year."
The first bronze medal contest opposed Lukas Krpalek (CZE) and Dzhamal Gamzatkhanov (AZE). True to his powerful style, the double Olympic champion secured an osaekomi that left Gamzatkhanov with no route back into the contest. The ippon victory earned Krpalek the nineteenth grand prix medal of his career, another remarkable milestone for one of the sport's great champions.
The second bronze medal contest brought together Martti Puumalainen (FIN) and Denis Batchaev (RUS). The former World Judo Masters winner produced one of his trademark determined performances. Trailing on penalties and facing defeat, the Finn turned the contest around suddenly with a perfectly timed ko-uchi-gari for waza-ari that caught Batchaev completely by surprise. He then added a yuko with an osaekomi before controlling the closing stages of the fight to secure another place on a World Judo Tour podium.
Final (+100 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (+100 kg)
