All eyes were on world number two Muhiddin Asadulloev, fighting at home and with an entire arena behind him. His route to the final wasn’t easy but he arrived for the final block determined to reach the top step of the podium.

Facing the Tajik hero was Karen Galstian (RUS) who’d had a great morning session. He delivered dynamic judo throughout the preliminaries and would like to have had the chance to do the same in the final. However, Asadulloev was more than ready. After only 30 seconds he adjusted his grip, anticipating what was about to happen. As he did, Galstian attacked with a committed uchi-mata and Asadulloev countered it perfectly for ippon.

The crowd erupted in the arena and no doubt the jubilation could be seen all over the city at the giant screens set up for the people of Dushanbe to all be apart of the occasion.

After the final, Muhiddin Asadulloev said, “Although after the Asian Judo Championships I was exhausted, the crowd in Dushanbe gave me additional energy to win at one of the most important events to me. I overcame all difficulties and delivered the gold medal to my nation.”

In the first bronze medal contest Danil Lavrentev (RUS) and Ankhzaya Lavjargal (MGL) gave spirited performances, each looking for the edge that would send them to the podium. It was close from the beginning but eventually Lavrentyev made space for a ko-uchi-gari, scoring a valuable yuko in golden score, one that assigned him a new grand slam medal.

In the second bronze medal contest Ahmadzod Masudi (TJK), a judoka with little experience on the World Judo Tour, had to take on Rashid Mammadaliyev (AZE), a competitor with a few more medals to his name. The latter showed his intention by scoring in the opening exchange, a fast and low o-uchi-gari that put a yuko between them.

The spectators urged Masudi on, cheering and drumming throughout the contest. Mammadaliyev was unfazed and prepared his defence well. He held the score until the seconds ticked away. This is his fifth grand slam medal.

In the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle, Rashid Mammadaliyev was in a qualifying position but his teammate, a name we may all recognise, was qualified above him. Hidayat Heydarov went to the Games and won it but in this cycle, Mammadaliyev wants another shot and is already climbing the ranking in an effort to catch his teammate.

Source: JudoInside