The final was a dynamic affair too, an Asian derby between Hayato KONDO (JPN) and world medallist Harim Lee (KOR). Unfortunately neither could make the space needed to introduce a decisive winning technique but both gave what they could to neutralise the other and edge a lead.
The battle was waged well by both, defensive and offensive skills on show but it was decided on penalties in golden score, the gold heading to Japan and the silver to Korea.
In the first bronze medal contest in the lightest of the men’s categories, Taiki Nakamura, surprised to be in this position instead of fighting for gold, looked to be on a different level from his opponent. Tumenjargal Tuvshintur (MGL) did all he could and attacked often but countered for ippon to finish the fight early, having already registered a waza-ari almost in the opening seconds of the contest.
In the second bronze medal contest Csanad Feczko (HUN) was happy to be in his first final block but facing Sukhbat Byambasuren would be a challenge. Feczko had no choice but to enter into the contest aggressively and so he hunted the entries but this was his downfall as Byambasuren was ready to counter and did so for a yuko at the halfway point. He them controlled well in both tachi-waza and ne-waza to ensure there was no available space for an equaliser. Mongolia would take this medal.
Final (-60 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-60 kg)
