Abdulzhalilov pips teammate to top spot in Qingdao

Abdula Abdulzhalilov of Russia topped an IJF Grand Prix medal podium for the first time since 2013 as he saw off teammate and Tyumen Grand Slam silver medallist Anzaur Ardanov, Former Miami Grand Prix winner, to win U66kg gold.

World number 58 Abdulzhalilov was the leading man with three wins by ippon from his four contests including the final which came courtesy of a hold down which started inside the area and moved outside as Ardanov tried but failed to free himself from the grasp of his game colleague. 

In the first semi-final Tashkent Grand Prix bronze medallist and top seed Dovdon Altansukh (MGL) fell to Abdulzhalilov by ippon while in the second semi-final Tashkent Grand Prix bronze medallist Andraz Jereb (SLO) succumbed to Ardanov by a waza-ari score in a close contest.

The first bronze medal was won by IJF World Judo Tour newcomer Tagawa Kenzo (JPN) as he upstaged world number 16 Jereb. The 20-year-old Japanese fighter threw his Slovenian opponent after 25 seconds with a sode-tsurikomi-goshi which proved to be the only score of the contest. The second bronze medal went to Dovdon who registered the smallest score possible to see off 20-year-old former Taipei Asian Open bronze medallist Qing Daga (CHN). A yuko was the difference as the Mongolian held down Qing with a kata-gatame for 10 seconds before the latter escaped in the closing minute of the contest.