Robert Mshvidobadze triumphs at a Grand Slam at the 18th attempt

Russian European Champion Robert Mshvidobadze won Grand Slam gold for the first time after beating Brazilian Felipe Kitadai in the U60kg in Abu Dhabi. Zagreb Grand Prix silver medallist Mshvidobadze made his Grand Slam debut in 2010 and has travelled to the IJF’s showcase events all over the world without reaching top spot.

The perseverant Russian was elated to finally end his seven-year wait for a Grand Slam title and can now turn his attention to World Masters and World Championships honours. London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Kitadai lacked his usual rhythm and was shot-shy when it mattered the most as he received his third shido for passivity to give Russian delegation their second gold medal on the opening day.

In the first semi-final world number two Amiran Papinashvili (GEO) was tapped out by Kitadai with a juji-gatame. The Georgian was caught off guard on the ground as his Brazilian opponent returned to his feet and jumped into the juji-gatame to make the unsuspecting Papinashvili submit. In the second semi-final Paris Grand Slam silver medallist Sharafuddin Lutfillaev (UZB) lost to Mshvidobadze by a waza-ari in golden score.

The first bronze medal was won by Lutfillaev who left no doubts as he dismissed Antalya Grand Prix winner Gusman Kyrgyzbayev (KAZ) by ippon.

The second bronze medal went to 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam winner Francisco Garrigos (ESP) who tapped out Papinashvili on the ground with shime-waza while also applying a tate-shiho-gatame pin and the Georgian had to concede the contest and the medal.

Read more about the Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi