France, after a very good start yesterday, was able to maintain its rank and stay at the top of the nations ranking, with two new medals but Japan, probably a little less dominating than usual, picked up their score. Kosovo ranks third, which is still a feat when comparing the size of countries and populations. For the organisers of the Masters, all is well, since Israel has two medals and is now the 4th placed nation. It must be said that in a very special, elite context, the gold medals, that is to say nine, have for the moment gone to nine different countries. What a distribution of talent!
Today Japan, Georgia, Austria and Brazil have taken the lion's share. What about the third day of competition? We will know soon.
In the meantime, we took great pleasure from seeing the incredible throwing skills of Tato Grigalashvili (GEO), who confirms his world title won after a hard fight in Tashkent and who now demonstrates his consistency at the highest level. This time the -81kg final was played against Azeri Saeid Mollaei. The latter once again proved that he is one of the best judoka of his generation. Congratulations to all these artists.
Brazil is always present in major events. In Tashkent it was the women who worked miracles. This time everything is to the credit of Daniel Cargnin who won at -73kg.
Among women, Marie-Eve Gahié was not expected at such a party. She didn't miss much but couldn’t quite take the win ahead of a fresher, more lucid and more precise Michaela Pollleres (AUT), at the end of the match. To be a champion, you have to combine your qualities to the end. Among the -63kg, it was finally Miku Takaichi (JPN) who was the most inflexible.
A good night of sleep will be necessary to digest all this and to be ready tomorrow for the last five categories of this Masters and the year. Be ready from 10:30am local time, to follow the women -78kg and +78kg and the men -90kg, -100kg and +100kg. Nothing but beautiful things will be in view!