The bronze medal contests also promised plenty of excitement. David Starkel (SLO) against Jhonathan Benavides (ECU) and Jorre Verstraeten (BEL) facing Michel Augusto (BRA) offered a fine mix of experience, youthful energy and unpredictable match-ups to round off the lightweight category.
Final
Izhak Ashpiz (ISR) vs Ahmad Yusifov (AZE)
In his first grand prix final, Izhak Ashpiz showed no sign of nerves. He opened the scoring with a yuko from a well-executed ippon-ko-uchi-gari, using a clever change of direction that caught Ahmad Yusifov by surprise. As the contest went on, Yusifov began to increase the pressure, coming close to scoring on one occasion but the Israeli judoka managed to twist out of danger just in time. Holding firm under pressure, Ashpiz maintained his lead to claim his first-ever grand prix gold medal and a second medal of the day for Israel.
Bronze Medal Contests
David Starkel (SLO) vs Jhonathan Benavides (ECU)
After a dynamic and spirited run through the preliminaries, Jhonathan Benavides arrived ready for another fight. Resisting every attack from his opponent during normal time, he struck early in golden score, slipping under Starkel’s centre of gravity with a perfectly timed seoi-otoshi. Starkel was lifted clean off the tatami and landed flat on his back, ippon! It was a spectacular bronze medal for Jhonathan Benavides and a proud moment for Ecuador.
Jorre Verstraeten (BEL) vs Michel Augusto (BRA)
The second bronze medal went to Jorre Verstraeten, who scored a decisive yuko with a sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi after just ninety seconds of action. It marked the Belgian’s third medal at a grand prix event.
Final (-60 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-60 kg)
