Final
Leonardo Gonçalves (BRA) vs Giovani Ferreira (BRA)
The Brazilian teammates spared no effort after a long day of competition. Halfway through the contest, the first shido went to Ferreira for passivity. With only that single penalty on the scoreboard, the bout moved into golden score. Neither judoka seemed willing to give an inch, until Ferreira finally found the opening he had been waiting for, countering Gonçalves’ uchi-mata with perfect timing for ippon. It was a brilliant conclusion to the contest and marked Brazil’s fourth gold medal in Lima.
Bronze Medal Contests
Daniel Eich (SUI) vs Zelym Kotsoiev (AZE)
The match was balanced from start to finish, with only a slight advantage for Kotsoiev, who had one penalty to Eich’s two. The contest was seconds away from golden score when, with perfect precision, Daniel Eich launched an explosive seoi-otoshi, catching Kotsoiev completely off guard for ippon. It was an outstanding technique and earned Eich his third grand prix medal.
Fares Mekhoukh (FRA) vs Aurélien Diesse (FRA)
Knowing each other’s style inside out, the two French judoka needed a golden score period to settle the bout, entering extra time with one penalty apiece. As the minutes passed and fatigue set in, Aurélien Diesse found his moment, executing a magnificent sumi-gaeshi for ippon. It was a memorable victory and Diesse’s first grand prix medal.
