Musa Mogushkov saves Russian ambition in Tyumen

At the Grand Slam of Tyumen, Japan dominated the first day taking six of the seven gold medals with a sensational team effort as only Musa Mogushkov could break the visitors’ golden-streak as he won U73kg gold.

Double world bronze medallist Musa Mogushkov defeated Slovenian European Cup silver medallist Arbi Khamkhoev (RUS) in the U73kg final as he fuelled by missing out on selection for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Khamkhoev, 22, who was fighting for an IJF medal for the first time in his career, was beautifully caught by Mogushkov with a ko-uchi-gari for ippon.

Mogushkov commented to the IJF: "Of course I am disappointed not to be going to Rio, especially after I did not perform as I wished in London. But I know Denis Iartcev very well, we train together, and I have no doubt that in addition to be higher in the world-ranking list than myself, he is best placed to give a performance for Russia that will result in a medal.” With regard to his future in competitive judo, Mogushkov commented, “I am 28 years old so could still make an effort for Tokyo 2020. I have no problem to make the weight and I am still hungry for competition. But perhaps I will have a small rest and take time with my family then refocus on my competitive career.”

The first bronze medal was won by former European champion Alim Gadanov (RUS) as world number 358 Muhammadlaziz Kayumov (UZB) was not permitted to compete having been disqualified in his previous contest. Gadanov was, together with Mogushkov the former world number one U66kg, where Mogushkov qualified for the London Games and lost in his first round. Muhammadlaziz  Kayumov, 23, showed his potential in the early rounds but will have to wait for his first IJF medal. The second and last male bronze medal fight of the first day of competition went in the favour of world number 52 Tommy Macias (SWE) who was thrilled to grace an IJF medal podium for the first time with a workman-like effort against 21-year-old newcomer Khikmatillokh Turaev (UZB). Chirchik Junior Asian Cup winner Turaev was penalised twice as both judoka failed to threaten the scoreboard and it was the Swede who registered his first honours on the IJF World Judo Tour.

Russian winners in Moscow/Tyumen U73kg/U71kg