Stanislav Retinskii takes Grand Prix gold for Russia

The final of the men’s U90kg category at the Grand Prix in Tbilisi was dominated by a young generation of Russian athletes as Stanislav Retinskii and Mikhail Igolnikov both qualified for the final. Retinskii defeated top seed Max Stewart (GBR) in the first semi-final and Igolnikov beat Ver Gabor (HUN) with a superb ippon.

It must be underlined that in this category all athletes represented in the final block were under 25.

The final started on a low rhythm as both athletes perfectly know each other. After shidos were distributed equally on both sides, after a groundwork session, Stanislav Retinskii applied an armlock to Igolnikov for ippon and a first victory on the occasion of Grand Prix.

The first bronze medal contest opposed the winner of the 2014 Paris Grand slam, Shakhzodbek Sabirov (UZB) and Ver Gabor (HUN). A few seconds were enough for Sabirov to launch a superb uchi-mata for an immediate ippon.

Ushangi Margiani (GEO) faced Max Stewart (GBR) in the second bronze medal match of the day. Stewart was penalised after a bit more than one minute and a half for blocking his opponent. But being a bit passive, it was then Margiani’s turn to be penalised with a first shido, followed by a second one. Only seven seconds were left on the clock when the referee announced the last ‘hajime’ before the golden score. In a last attempt to score, Stewart dropped on his knees for shoulder movement, but lacking of control, he was caught by the subtle counter-attack of Margiani for waza-ari exactly on the final gong.