Final: Vlad Mitru (MDA) vs Jack Yonezuka (USA)
Vlad Mitru was unstoppable in the early rounds and pocketed that momentum through the break and into the final block.
In the last fight of the -73 kg category he neutralised every seoi-otoshi and kata-guruma attempt from his American opponent, studying the movements on the go until he could solve the puzzle well enough to score. Eventually his patience paid off as he was able to punish another kata-guruma attempt from Yonezuka, countering for ippon.
After the final, Mitru explained more about his experience in Lima, “I feel very good and excited because my team and I worked so hard for this medal and this is my first IJF medal. We had many training camps leading up to this, and all that hard work really helped me take the gold today. The gold is a big result for me and for Moldova. Lima is a beautiful city with wonderful people and a great atmosphere. I hope to take more medals in the next competitions, and I look forward to seeing everyone next time in Lima!”
Moldova is enjoying a fantastic run in Lima. Mitru’s gold pushes the nation further up the medal table, adding to the gold and silver won by the team on day one.
Bronze medal contest: Hassan Doukkali (MAR) vs Giovanni Esposito (ITA)
The contest began evenly but with the feeling that the rhythm could change at any moment. Giovanni Esposito felt that too and with a minute and fifteen seconds gone he drove forward with a right-sided o-uchi-gari that caught his Moroccan opponent for a yuko.
Doukkali upped his game and attacked more furiously but Esposito’s answer was to throw with a left-sided o-uchi-gari to extend his lead. From there he turned Doukkali on to his back and held him for ippon. This is his fifth grand prix medal.
Bronze medal contest: Guilherme De Oliveira (BRA) vs Daniel Cargnin (BRA)
Punctuated by flurries of ashi-waza, the majority of this Brazilian derby was cautious and measured. Twenty-one year old De Oliveira was determined to not be outshone by his senpai Daniel Cargnin, a tricky dynamic for both athletes.
Respectful and positive throughout the two Brazilian judoka worked hard to end the contest in the best way possible and towards the end of normal time, De Oliveira made his play attacking with a fast and precise o-uchi-gari. The screen was earned; De Oliveira could hardly believe that he had done. Is this the passing of the baton? Time will tell.
Final (-73 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-73 kg)
Final Results (-73 kg)
