Kirill Denisov takes second victory in his new weight

Russia Kirill Denisov seems to be the best candidate for the World Championships in 2017. Denisov made it two wins from two U100kg outings as his gold in China was a sign of things to come.

The Russian Qingdao Grand Prix winner met one of the most established judoka in the category as he opposed Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Cyrille Maret of France in the final. Denisov turned three-time Grand Slam winner Maret for a yuko score and their showed their mutual respect for each other at the end of the contest with a hug and were all smiles. France’s wait for a -100kg winner in Tokyo will go on having not claimed this title for 17 years and Maret remains the best equipped judoka to alter that in 2017. 

In the first semi-final world number three Maret saw off surprise package Grigori Minaskin of Estonia on shidos 1:3 as the French star grinded out win that was becoming of a champion with true grit and determination. In the second semi-final Denisov denied Joakim Dvarby (SWE) a place in the -100kg final as he won a scoreless contest 0:2 on shido penalties.

The first bronze medal was won by 2012 Tokyo Grand Slam bronze medallist Shimowada Shohei who defeated Dvarby by two shidos. The Swedish fighter, who arm-locked Wolf Aaron in the quarter-finals,  was twice penalised for going out while his second Japanese opponent recorded an unblemished record to grace the medal podium four years after taking his last Grand Slam honours.

The second bronze medal was won by18-year-old hotshot Iida Kentaro (JPN) who pinned down Minaskin for 20 seconds and ippon. The uchi-mata specialist won his share of plaudits with an eye-catching display at his first senior event as he overpowered his Estonian opponent on the ground to break through on the IJF stage.