Top seed Majus Genys (LTU) began his day in the best possible way, defeating Sieb Griede (NED) with a fine waza-ari from a right-sided o-soto-gari. Yet his progress ended in the very next round as he was eliminated by Maksim Strokun (BLR), who from there surged confidently all the way to the final.
In pool C, it was Abdula Suleimanov (IJF) who looked the most likely to impose himself, and he did so with remarkable authority. He opened by defeating Markelos Ioannou (CYP) with a strangle for ippon inside thirty seconds, then dispatched Rares Neacsu (ROU) with o-soto-gari, also in half a minute. Against Francesco Mazzon (ITA), Suleimanov spent slightly longer on the tatami, but after 2 minutes 49 he secured victory with a hold-down. In the semi-final, Giorgi Zurabashvili (GEO) was the next to fall victim to the IJF representative’s power. It was an impressive run.
The final was therefore set between the two outstanding performers of the day: Maksim Strokun (BLR) vs Abdula Suleimanov (IJF). The contest began in cagey fashion, with long-range, somewhat telegraphed attacks that failed to create the openings needed to score. But it was precisely from one of those confused situations, which appeared to be going nowhere, that Suleimanov persisted. His determination paid off as he produced a superb low uchi-mata for a clear and indisputable ippon. It was therefore gold for Suleimanov and the IJF team.
That left the bronze medals to be decided. The first contest pitted Cesar Godoy Tristante (BRA) against Giorgi Zurabashvili (GEO). In the end it was Zurabashvili who claimed the podium place, throwing with a sharp seoi-otoshi for ippon.
The second bronze medal contest brought together Francesco Mazzon (ITA) and Apti Utsiev (IJF). It was a tense battle, with neither judoka able to break the deadlock in normal time. Deep into golden score, Mazzon finally succeeded in executing his trademark tomoe-nage, this time perfectly prepared, to score yuko and secure the bronze. He had attempted the technique several times earlier without success and even picked up penalties for poorly set-up attacks, but one good one was enough. His persistence was rewarded with a place on the podium.
Final (-90 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-90 kg)
