Ayub Bliev (RUS) and Artem Lesion (UKR) stepped on to the tatami with visible concentration. Bliev was first to his marks, catching Lesion with an instinctive ashi-waza for a yuko. He extended his lead less than a minute later with a beautiful o-uchi-gari which scored a waza-ari; very close to ippon and delivered with precision.
Artem Lesiuk had no answer for Bliev and far from slowing down or turning his focus to defence, Bliev kept coming and threw one more time to command the end of the contest. It was gold for Ayub Bliev in the Qasri Tennis arena after a day of skilled and spectacular judo.
After the final, Ayub Bliev said, “The people of Tajikistan are amazing and the atmosphere is unmatched. I really enjoy competing in Dushanbe. People here love martial arts, especially judo. They energise me, giving me extra motivation. It is a great pleasure to show my judo here and to make the crowd happy."
In the first bronze medal contest Nuradil Alzhan (KAZ) stood opposite Achyty Dombuu (RUS). It was a dynamic fight, both judoka moving fast in both attack and defence but neither could catch the other until the final minute. There, Dombuu attacked with a footstep but was immediately countered for a yuko and that was enough to secure the medal.
The last medal of the category would be claimed by either Maxime Merlin (FRA) or Loiq Kudbudinov (TJK), the latter being supported loudly from the stands. It was a close contest from the beginning, only penalties being given initially, no scores. Each movement, attack and even referee signal was met with drumming and heartfelt applause.
After the initial 4 minutes and a new ‘hajime,’ Kudbudinov took inspiration from the tribunes and found his entry. He flew in with an uchi-mata and knocked Merlin down for an important yuko. Tajikistan had their first medallist and Kudbudinov had his first World Judo Tour medal.
Final (-60 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-60 kg)
