Krisztian Toth is ready for the big medals

World silver medallist Toth Krisztian (HUN) was the leading man in the -90kg category as he saw off former Qingdao Grand Prix bronze medallist Aaron Hildebrand (GER) to celebrate his birthday in style. Toth, who turned 21 on Friday, had the measure of world number 67 who will leap up the rankings now at a crucial time in the Olympic cycle. Hungarian starlet Toth took a commanding lead with a waza-ari score and never looked in danger as he maintained his advantage for the remaining two minutes and lapped up a huge ovation from the travelling Hungarian fans.

In the first semi-final TOTH ended the notable run of Junior World Championships silver medallist Nikoloz SHERAZADISHVILI (ESP). The Spaniard tried to pick TOTH up but the Hungarian took control and landed on top of his rival for a waza-ari after three minutes. TOTH didn’t leave any doubts as he finished the contest by winning by ippon. In the second semi-final HILDEBRAND dismissed world number 11 Guillaume ELMONT (NED). Both judoka were penalised after 90 seconds for not taking a grip and a minute later the German judoka secured his spot in the final by ippon.

The first bronze medal was awarded to ELMONT who left it until the last five seconds to decide the contest against former Dusseldorf Grand Prix winner Marcus NYMAN (SWE). Both judoka were penalised for their reluctance to engage and the fate of the medal looked set to be decided in golden score. ELMONT had other ideas and scored a yuko with five seconds left with a morote-seoi-nage. The second bronze medal was won by Qingdao Grand Prix bronze medallist Joakim DVARBY (SWE) in an enthralling spectacle against SHERAZADISHVILI. DVARBY went ahead by holding his taller opponent down with a yoko-shiho-gatame for 11 seconds. Junior ace SHERAZADISHVILI equalised with a yuko of his own as he looked to be shaping up for an uchi-mata attack but adjusted his body and sent DVARBY down with an ouchi-gari. DVARBY settled it with a second yuko as teenager SHERAZADISHVILI will have to wait for this first Grand Prix medal.