Russian Yakub Shamilov impresses with Grand Slam gold

Russian Yakub Shamilov won his first Grand Slam gold medal as he triumphed in a category which featured former Olympic and world medallists. The Russian’s adversary in the final was one such judoka as former world silver medallist Azamat Mukanov of Kazakhstan opposed him.

Mukanov went behind to a waza-ari from a modified kata-guruma as his opponent closed in on the best result of his career. A sumi-gaeshi attempt from the Kazakh lacked power and the one score was enough for Shamilov, Tyumen Grand Slam bronze medallist, who was crowned the U66kg winner.

In the first semi-final Zagreb Grand Prix winner Andraz Jereb (SLO) lost out to Shamilov by ippon while in the second semi-final former Budapest Grand Prix bronze medallist Sergiu Oleinic (POR) succumbed to Mukanov (KAZ) and a waza-ari.

The first bronze medal was won by London 2012 Olympic champion Arsen Galstyan (RUS) who had one of his best days since he moved up to -66kg in 2015. World number 30 Galstyan, who lost out to teammate Shamilov, threw Portugal’s Oleinic with a osoto-makikomi for a waza-ari and pressed forward in pursuit of a second score. A tomoe-nage after 73 seconds gave the Russian his second and match-winning waza-ari. The second bronze medal went to Pan American Championships winner Charles Chibana (BRA) who edged Jereb by a yuko score. Chibana took some deep breaths while there was a minor delay for the Slovenian to receive treatment for a nose bleed and a modified seoi-nage sent Jereb over for a yuko which was the only score of the contest.