“Beginning with -81kg we are wowed by the fact that 3 of the semi-finalists have already been world champions, Toto’s red back patch firmly in view. The Olympic gold medallist had to fight for bronze only, such is the quality of the category. Lee (KOR) came from the outside but we thought he might wreak havoc and he has. We thought Shamil Borchashvili would catch people too but it’s been his brother Wachid brining an impressive performance. He finished in 7th place but losing to Nagase in the repechage is understandable and doesn’t take away from his excellent day. Nagase showed his class against him and wore him down. It’s how champions have to win when they’re not quite on Olympic form.
Tato Grigalashvili (GEO) was also not on his best form all day although he rectified it in the semi-final against Lee with some massive judo, the first score being so typically Georgian with the big pick-up and the twists and turns in the air. Lee made a tactical faux pas and he completely played into the hands of the Georgian. It’s nuts to try to pick up Tato and Lee paid the price. The second throw, the low sumi-gaeshi, showed his true brilliance.
He had panicked a tiny bit against the Austrian but he’s now so much more mature and can cope even when struggling. As the defending champion it’s so different from when you’re trying to earn it for the first time. Maybe there has been touch of fighting not to lose rather than fighting to win, scared to make a mistake. He had to dig in and find a different way and he did that. That’s impressive.
On the other side of the draw, Muki has had a much better time than he has been for a long time, aside from his win in Tel Aviv earlier this year.
I take my hat off to Casse (BEL). He’s the most aware tactically and he’s been solid throughout. He is happy to win a long game. If he can throw he will but he is so intelligent that he doesn’t rush. With Muki he wanted to wear him down and he waited for the right oportunity and took that hold to set up an unbelievable third world final in a row with Tato. They’ve dominated in the most difficult and contested category and it is remarkable.
At -63kg Awiti-Alcaraz (MEX) has had the most amazing tournament and Van Lieshout (NED), the double junior world champion, never looked out of sorts; she looked like she was ready to walk out and win that last medal contest too. With another year of development she will mature and become very dangerous indeed. All credit to Leski (SLO) as experience probably won that semi-final, the Dutch judoka was outplayed.
Clarisse, apart from being one of the most amazing people, we see her managing a new life, one that is being talked about a lot in public. These are new pressures and here she is already back to a 6th world title. It’s a whole new class, another step up and an incredible message to women in sport all over the word. Leski also had a really great day and can be very proud of her silver medal, a second one after also fighting Agbegnenou in the 2021 final in Budapest.”
In Tel Aviv Clarisse told us about her lack of precise feeling for the new rules since her return but now she’s ready. She said then, “I really feel the difference between the old and new emphasis with the rules, like the management of the judogi and other elements, so my rhythm is a bit off.” Neil Adams’ answer to that is easy, “She’s adapted and got better through the day. She’s not looked rushed, never fazed, just working.
It’s been a really interesting day of judo, sometimes about grinding it out, sometimes about big ippons. There have been great champions who haven’t been able to throw today but have still been able to find the wins and that is really their mark. Tato began that way but in the end he really showed how he has grown, beating one of the world’s best tacticians to win his own 2nd world gold, although we note that Casse too now has 4 world medals and all from finals. We might wonder if these two will stay together for a few more years yet. What a category!”