Japanese sensation Soichi Hashimoto favourite for Worlds glory

Sensational Japanese judoka Hashimoto Soichi won his third career Grand Slam medal as Japan were irresistible on day one in Russia. World number two Hashimoto, who is undefeated on the tour since 2015, maintained his unbeaten run that could well extend beyond his first World Championships in August.

Hashimoto, who is only behind Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist Rustam Orujov (AZE) on the World Ranking List, routed surprise finalist and Lima Pan American Open winner Marcelo Contini (BRA) with two waza-ari scores going unanswered before the Japanese ace made sure of gold with a beautiful sode-tsurikomi-goshi throw for ippon.

In the first semi-final Hashimoto defeated former Pan American Championships winner Arthur Margelidon (CAN) with a tai-otoshi for ippon. 

In the second semi-final Contini (BRA) bested former Glasgow European Open silver medallist Sam Van ‘t Westende (NED) by ippon after 67 seconds to remain fresh for the final.

In the first bronze medal contest Van ‘t Westende could not escape the clutches of Pierre Duprat (FRA) in osaekomi as the latter wrapped up the Dutchman with a tate-shiho-gatame hold to win by ippon. In the second bronze medal contest former Junior European Championships winner Benjamin Axus (FRA) also pinned down his opponent for bronze. The young Frenchman saw off Margelidon to match his countryman Duprat.