Dilshot Khalmativ (UKR) and Balabay Aghayev (AZE) faced off for the first men’s gold medal of the tournament. Strong gripping tactics gave rise to fewer complete techniques than either judoka might have liked but they moved and strategised and attacked, keeping the suspense alive.
At full-time, there were only penalties on the board and so they moved into golden score, an unlimited period in which the athletes can separate themselves by a positive score or a collection of three penalties to one person, whichever comes first.
Aghayev understood the brief better than his opponent and with a very clever idea, he rose from an exchange which had put him on the floor, hooking Khalmatov’s leg and throwing him backwards for a score. This is the Azerbaijani’s third grand slam gold medal. He allowed a smile to creep across his face, a well-earned smile indeed.
Harim Lee (KOR) and Izhak Ashpiz (ISR) fought for the first bronze medal and it was a dynamic and entertaining contest. Ashpiz has been impressive and solid throughout the day, fighting as if a regular on the grand slam podia of the World Judo Tour, but he is not. Against the speed and sharpness of Harim Lee, he should have struggled but three scores came in fairly quick succession, all for Ashpiz, the last from a calmly entered o-uchi-uchi-mata.
Ashpiz now has his first grand slam medal, adding to his first grand prix medal, won in Lima last year. He is undoubtedly one to watch!
In the second bronze medal contest Jonathan Charon (CUB) took on Aman Bakytzhan (KAZ). The Cuban had the run of play for most of the contest, attacking more precisely and with great variety but in the early seconds of the golden score period, Bakytzhan found his space and threw for the all-important yuko and the medal.
Final (-60 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-60 kg)
