In the quarter-finals though, only the latter made it through. Kyrgyzbayev defeated Channyeong Kim (KOR) by ippon with ko-uchi-gake before throwing Ziyang Xue (CHN) for ippon with a counter 28 seconds from the end of their semi-final, under the cheers and applasue of an extatic tribune. Narbayev did not have the same fortunes, losing the quarter-final and then also the repechage contest. Tilovov (UZB) was the victor there, securing his place in the final block. He would face Xue for a podium finish.
Although there was a lot of movement, neither athlete could prepare their attacks well anough to claim a score. They each picked up a pair of penalties in normal time but no scores. In extra time, it continued in the same vein until Xue was given a third penalty for non-combativity. Tilovov was pleased to be able to climb on to the podium.
In the second bronze medal contest, Boyan Yotov (BUL) and Jantsandorj Unurbat (MGL) met, the Monglian being the one who knocked Narbayev down into the repechage earlier in the day. After just a minute had passed, Unurbat had a yuko on the board from a fast counter-attack. Both men continued to fight aggressively, hunting the space to throw.
He doubled his score 90 seconds later but Yotov kept coming forward, not giving up on his medal hopes just yet. With just 15 seconds left, he applied an excellent ko-uchi-gari attack and it knocked the Mongolian off his feet but it was only worth a yuko and there was not enough time to go again. Unurbat had his medal!
In the final Kyrgyzbayev’s will to win would be tested to its maximum. Ramazan Abdulaev (IJF) already has 4 grand slam gold medals and he would very much like a fifth. ATt he halfway point Kyrgyzbayev was down two penalties to one and the crowd were increasing their volume as if to lend him some extra strength but Abdulaev was unfazed and threw witha stunning ko-soto-gari for waza-ari. He held his nerve and his ground to the end of the allotted time to claim the fifth title he had come for.
Final (-66 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-66 kg)
