Ganbat Boldbaatar stays cool and captures gold

Former world champion Ganbat Boldbaatar (MGL) came to Baku with a point to prove having been overlooked for selection for the Olympics this summer and did everything he could to revitalise his credentials in Azerbaijan. Junior world champion Nagayama Ryuju (JPN) was his unexpected adversary in the final after a superb display on his IJF World Judo Tour debut which exceeded all expectations.

Ganbat could not find a way to score against Nagayama but instead relied on shido penalties as he won 3:4. The fourth and final penalty for the young Japanese judoka was given for passivity as he received hansoku-make but on this showing will be a name to look out for in the next Olympic cycle on the road to Tokyo 2020. 

In the first semi-final Nagayama defeated former world silver medallist Dashdavaa Amartuvshin (MGL) with a ruthless display. The 20-year-old lifted Dashdavaa off the ground with ease as his ura-nage earned a yuko score. Nagayama did not let up and won by ippon to ensure he would compete in the final on his senior debut. In the second semi-final former world champion Ganbat Boldbaatar (MGL) was able to absorb every attack offered by Sharafuddin Lutfillaev (UZB) to register a yuko which was the solitary score of the energetic contest.

The first bronze medal was claimed by Asian Championships silver medallist Diyorbek Urozboev (UZB) as he beat teammate Lutfillaev in a frustrating contest. Both judoka were reluctant to engage and were repeatedly penalised for their inaction as the Uzbek duo both had three shidos apiece to their names after just two minutes. A final shido for passivity against Lutfillaev settled the contest in favour of Urozboev.

The second bronze medal went to former European bronze medallist Ashley Mckenzie (GBR) who returned to the IJF podium for the first time since July 2015 with a bright performance which culminated with a win against Dashdavaa. The opening saw a positive start from the lively Londoner Mckenzie who produced the better of the attacks but still without threatening the scoreboard. Golden score was required to separate the judoka after both finished regular time with two shidos on their record and no scores. London 2012 Olympian Mckenzie won through as Dashdavaa was penalised for passivity after 90 seconds of additional time.