There was no waiting to observe one another, both judoka being immediately in to the rhythm of the final of the world championships. Kelvin Ray, with his left-handed kumi-kata, maybe seemed slightly stronger, but it was obvious from the first second that Davit Kareli was waiting on the right side with some Georgian style counterattacks. His intention became a reality after a sequence that could have gone either way. Kareli’s powerful change in direction scored ippon, with a ko-uchi-gari that Ray could not stop.
Talgat Orynbassar (KAZ) and Sardor Khimmatov (UZB) offered another chance for Asia to win a bronze medal. After a few spectacular attacks from both sides of the tatami, Sardor Khimmatov was disqualified for head diving.
Disappointed not to reach the final, when he was seeded number one, Nizami Imranov (AZE) nevertheless had the opportunity to save honour by facing the other French judoka in the category, Dayyan Boulemtafes, eliminated by his fellow French teammate, eventual silver medallist Kelvin Ray, in the quarter-finals. Imranov was meant to be in the final but was disqualified in the semi-final for head diving.
He began his bronze medal contest as if it was a final and quickly scored a first waza-ari with a shoulder movement. Instead of reducing the pace, Imranov continued to attack and to put pressure on his opponent but big credit to Boulemtafes who continued to go forward and attack despite the danger of being counterattacked. With so much pressure, Nizami Imranov was penalised twice and with a handful of seconds on the clock, nothing was guaranteed. Eventually, Nizami Imranov confirmed that his early waza-arai was enough and he won the bronze, but what a match from both competitors. Bravo!
Final (-60 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-60 kg)
Final Results (-60 kg)
