-73 kg: Fujinaka Floors the Rest / IJF.org

Bekhruzbek Usmonov (UZB) and Giorgi Mtchedlishvili (GEO) were the highest ranked athletes on the top half of the draw and they obeyed the hierarchy perfectly until their shared semi-final. There a tiny ko-uchi-gari in golden score put the latter in to the final and dropped the top seed in a bronze medal contest. Both were in great form.

The bottom half of the draw was a different story. The number two seed, Nicolas Almeida, lost his first contest to Alexander Lievano (USA) who then lost in ne-waza to Rashed Faras (KUW). He then lost to Dmytro Matuznyi (GER) who also lost, in the second semi-final, against the unseeded Japanese judoka, Genki Fujinaka. Nothing followed the plan!

Genki Fujinaka (JPN) on his way tyo the final block.

Final: Giorgi Mtchedlishvili (GEO) vs Genki Fujinaka (JPN)

Giorgi Mtchedlishvili intended to begin at close quarters from the very beginning, to neutralised Fujinaka’s gripping and throw with full body contact. However, this strategy played against him as Fujinaka was ready and countered Mtchedlishvili’s first attack for ippon. This was among the fasted finals of the tournament so far and capped an impressive day for the young Japanese star.

Genki Fujinaka (JPN) throws in the first exchange for gold.

Genki Fujinaka then said, “I didn't really have a specific strategy, I just went in to throw when I saw the chance. Winning this title is great but I'm still in the cadet category so my main focus now is working hard in both domestic and international competitions to make sure I can keep winning as I move up to the junior level. One thing is certain, I want to eat a lot of sushi now!”

Bronze medal contest: Bekali Yerken (KAZ) vs Dmytro Matuznyi (GER)

This contest began at a pace and there was a yuko on the board for each competition very quickly. Not long later, Matuznyi attacked with an o-uchi-gari and Yerken countered for a waza-ari and went straight into the hold. However the German judoka managed to escape to give himself one final chance. Yerken was unwilling to oblige and rode out the clock to claim the bronze medal.

Bekali Yerken (KAZ) throws for bronze.

Bronze medal contest: Sadig Mammadov (AZE) vs Bekhruzbek Usmonov (UZB)

Bekhruzbek Usmonov opened proceedings with a yuko right off the bat. It was an incredibly mobile contest and with a score to chase Mammadov worked extremely hard to even things up. However, the more he tried, the more Usmonov found answers and he scored two more, a second yuko and a waza-ari.

Bekhruzbek Usmonov (UZB).

Final (-73 kg)

MTCHEDLISHVILI Giorgi (GEO) vs FUJINAKA Genki (JPN)

Bronze Medal Fights (-73 kg)

YERKEN Bekali (KAZ) vs MATUZNYI Dmytro (GER)

MAMMADOV Sadig (AZE) vs USMONOV Bekhruzbek (UZB)

Medals, cheques and flowers presented by IJF Sport Director Ms Hedvig Karakas and Ecuadorian Judo Federation head coach Mr Fernando Ibanez.

Final Results (-73 kg)

1. FUJINAKA Genki (JPN)

2. MTCHEDLISHVILI Giorgi (GEO)

3. YERKEN Bekali (KAZ)

3. USMONOV Bekhruzbek (UZB)

5. MATUZNYI Dmytro (GER)

5. MAMMADOV Sadig (AZE)

7. ALEKSEJUNAS Natas (LTU)

7. FARAS Rashed (KUW)

The -73 kg podium.