Asian semi finals expected U66kg in Guadalajara

The U66kg weight class at the IJF World Masters in Guadalajara is quite a European event. In 2012 this category had a European final between Shavdatuashvili and Ungvari, but time has changed. World champion An Baul (KOR) will hope to replace his red backpatch as the current world champion with a gold backpatch by winning the Olympic Games in August.

An, 22, is competing in his first Masters in Mexico and will not be overawed by the occasion or the level of opposition at the invite-only event. In his first match he will meet with Houd Zourdani of Algeria and then Colin Oates or Golan Pollack will follow. Although Pollack vs An was the final in Dusseldorf this year. It is very likely that the semi finals are completely Asian with 2015 World Judo Masters bronze medallist Davaadorj Tumurkhuleg (MGL) in action. In Pool D double Olympic bronze medallist Rishod Sobirov (UZB) who will meet with 2015 European Champion Kamal Khan-Magomedov (RUS). Tokyo Grand Slam winner Takajo Tomofumi (JPN) will face Nathan Katz (AUS) in his first match. An outsider for a medal can be found in the match Shikhalizada vs Fabio Basile in pool C.

Last year the Masters in Rabat were won by Georgii Zantaraia, we miss him and we hope to see him for a good practise before the Olympic Games.