Anton Savytskiy (UKR) stepped forward to face Zsombor Veg (HUN) with his usual calmness. After just under two minutes, the first score came, a waza-ari for the Ukrainian after a strong sumi-gasehi attack. However, Veg was not frozen by it and working hard in the transition phase in an attempt to hold Savytskiy down; he almost succeeded. Savytskiy continued the momentum launched by Veg and rolled the Hungarian right over the top of him, catching a short-lived osaekomi.
A tani-otoshi was used a little later to add a second score to Savytskiy’s lead but Veg didn’t stop attacking. As the time ticked away, the gold looked more and more secure. Savytskiy had done enough to earn the second grand slam gold of his career after also winning in Tbilisi earlier this year.
Karl Baathe (SWE) didn’t have a chance against -90 kg double world champion Nikoloz Sherazadishvili (ESP) The seasoned Spanish judoka outgripped, out-manoeuvred and out-strategised his Swedish opposition, earning him 3 penalties in fast succession. The bronze would be heading to Spain tonight!
In the second bronze medal contest Idar Bifov (IJF) had his work cut out against Said Sadrudinov (BRN). It appeared close for the first 3 minutes but Sadrudinov was just biding his time and at the right moment he performed a massive pick-up and threw Bifov for ippon. This is his first grand slam medal and the second of the tournament for Bahrain.
Final (-100 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-100 kg)
