It’s certainly been a day worthy of analysis and world champion and Olympic medallist Dennis Van Der Geest (NED) stepped up to give us his thoughts.
“A great performance by 2019 world champion Jorge Fonseca (POR), especially in the semi-final with Korrel (NED); that was a massive throw.
Lots of fighters have a super strong tactical plan against all their opponents, especially now that we can watch hours of contest time on the internet. Sometimes, though, the technical plan makes it too regimented and Korrel looked like he stuck to his plan, one that appeared to be only to defend against the world champion. How is it possible to come forward with your own positive judo when your plan is to just block someone else’s?
At -100kg Kukolj reaching the final was for a medal here but also a ticket to the Olympics and maybe no one would have seen that coming with the strength on his side of the draw, like Adamian (RJF) and Liparteliani (GEO).
In general terms I’ve seen a lot of agile forward throws, like sode-tsuri-komi-goshi and seoi-nage with tori really screwing themselves into the space of their opponent, throw on either side. It makes the judo exciting, really opens it up.
Malonga (FRA) had a rough first fight but after that she exploded into her best judo and looks on top form. Wagner (GER) reached the final with some really strong grips over the back. The Japanese tokui-waza is always so good and they only ever need one chance to pull it off, but Wagner really piled the pressure on Umeki (JPN) and was able to score and hold on to it. Not easy to do. To then beat the last world champion too show real class to win the gold for Germany.
I’ve enjoyed watching Marhinde Verkerk (NED) throughout her career and I say that because she is retiring today. It’s a shame that she and her team mate Guusje Steenhuis have to meet for the same bronze medal. A shot at one each would have been better! Winning in Rotterdam at the 2009 World Championships was her highlight and going out in a medal fight at the worlds is fitting.
It was great to see Verkerk shown so much respect at the end of the tournament, with a special award and a beautiful video montage that everyone in the building felt the emotion of. She’s the last one left in the team who I travelled and competed with; we were in Beijing together.”
Her team joined her on the podium for some special photos and now the whole judo community can say thank you to Marhinde.