Karen Galstian (IJF) began at the top of the table but in the round of 16 he came unstuck against unseeded Tajik Ahmadzod Masudi. Masudi has very limited previous experience but he dispatched Galstian by two waza-ari scores before defeating Lin of China to reach the semi-final against number 4 seed Kazbek Naguchev (UAE).
In the semi-final Masudi was trailing by waza-ari and Naguchev had the gripping sewn up. It looked like a textbook win for Naguchev but Masudi stayed focused and was eventually able to counter Naguchev for ippon to claim a huge surprise victory and a place in his first grand slam medal contest.
Mongolia filled their 4-athlete quota in the category but only Uranbayar Odgerel was able to make it to the final block. Beginning the day in pool D, he beat China’s Jinhang Li before enduring a close and tense battle against his compatriot Ankhzaya Lavjargal, a yuko splitting them in golden score in their quarter-final.
The last of the seeds to drop out was Asadulloev (TJK), taken out in Pool C by Yudai Tanaka (JPN, who went on to meet Odgerel in the semi-final. Against popular prediction, Odgerel’s commitment to do his crowd’s bidding was his superpower and he left every possible effort on the tatami, defeating Tanaka by ippon.
Final
Ahmadzod Masudi (TJK) vs Uranbayar Odgerel (MGL)
Bronze medal contests
Karim Abdulaev (UAE) vs Yudai Tanaka (JPN)
Ankhzaya Lavjargal (MGL) vs Kazbek Naguchev (UAE)
At the -81 kg, the top half of the draw obeyed the rankings while the top seeds on the bottom half struggled. Yuhei Oino (JPN) went through Loladze (GEO) and Gasanov (BRN) in the early rounds before entering a physical battle with Mykhailo Svidrak (UKR) in the quarter-final. He won the contest but it was not easy and regardless of the result of his semi-final, he would be welcoming the break before the final block.
From Pool C the second and seventh seeds arrived at the quarter-final, as they should but the lower ranked athlete won sending Askerbii Gerbekov (BRN) into the repechage. Adam Tsechoev therefore eon the pool and watched eagerly as Pool D played out.
In the last quarter of the draw, top seed Sterpu (MDA) was beaten by Seungchan Lee (KOR) who was himself beaten by Omarov (UAE). Omarov had a great morning session, cementing the impression of his good form when he overcame Tsechoev by a yuko in the semi-final to book his place in the final.
Final
Yuhei Oino (JPN) vs Gadzhimurad Omarov (UAE)
Bronze medal contests
Gadzhidavud Gasanov (BRN) vs Adam Tsechoev (IJF)
Askerbii Gerbekov (BRN) vs Mykhailo Svidrak