Boldbaatar Ganbat rediscovers the winning mood

Former world champion Ganbat Boldbaatar of Mongolia returned to the top of the medal podium on the IJF stage with a determined display in Germany. The Mongolian, who last claimed gold at the Baku Grand Slam last year, rolled over Paris Grand Slam bronze medallist Amiran Papinashvili (GEO) for a waza-ari score and only his second IJF gold medal since winning the World Championships in 2014.

In the first semi-final Glasgow European Open winner Phelipe Pelim (BRA) lost out to Ganbat by a waza-ari in golden score. In the second semi-final former world silver medallist Dashdavaa Amartuvshin (MGL) was well beaten by Papinashvili by ippon after the Georgian initially led by a waza-ari.

The first bronze medal was won by Dashdavaa who rallied in golden score to defeat former European bronze medallist Ashley Mckenzie (GBR). The Mongolian was off the pace in regulation time as Mckenzie had the better of the first four minutes. With no scores registered a winner could only be determined with additional time and Dashdavaa caught his opponent with a sumi-gaeshi for a match-winning waza-ari score and his 13th Grand Prix medal.      

The second bronze medal was won by Pelim who defeated Abu Dhabi Grand Slam winner Francisco Garrigos (ESP) after two minutes of golden score with a quickfire te-waza movement.