However, just like his teammate in the lighter weight category today, Somon Makhmadbekov fulfilled the brief, reaching the final and igniting the crowd’s hopes of another airing of the national anthem. In the final he would have to pass Austria’s Bernd Fasching, a physical competitor with a progressing career.
Makhmadbekov opened proceedings with a powerful o-soto-otoshi, putting a yuko straight on the board. Fasching chased and chased but with less than a minute not go had made no significant headway. Makhmadbekov was becoming more and more confident that the gold was his and as the time ran out, he thrust his arms in the air. He had done it, joining Tajikistan’s growing list ion medallists at their home grand slam.
Just as he was about to head to the podium, Somon Makhmadbekov said, "I am delighted I won in front of the home crowd. This is why I worked so much."
In the first bronze medal contest, Askar Narkulov (KAZ) equipped himself admirably, spending the first minute and a half in perfect positions to control the space and the distance, so much so that as his opponent, Victor Sterpu (MDA) went for an attack, Narkulov spun him through the air with a stunning sukashi; it was impressive!
Sterpu had some work to do, coming from a waza-ari down, but he played his cards perfectly, closing the distance, closing the space between them. With full body contact, he attacked with o-uchi-gari and scored ippon. This was an impressive response to his predicament. Sterpu earned the bronze medal, with incredible commitment being his secret weapon.
The second bronze medal was either going to add to the Tajik medal tally or head to France. Sunatullo Musoev (TJK), a single grand slam medal on his profile, and Oumar Alpha Djalo (FRA), 5 World Judo Tour medals but none since 2023, fought as hard as they could, both hunting scores. At full time though, no score was registered and so they went into extra time, Musoev down by two penalties.
After 3 additional minutes, Djalo remained ahead, controlling most of the gripping and attacking more frequently than his opponent. Twenty seconds later and the run of play was respected when Oumar Alpha Djalo flew underneath Musoev with a seoi-otoshi and scored a very important waza-ari. Djalo is back on the medal trail after a long period off the pace.
Final (-81 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-81 kg)
