Guram the Great beats world number one Moura

Georgian European champion Guram Tushishvili made it three-for-three for Georgia as his country won the U90kg, U100kg and +100kg titles at the IJF World Masters in St. Petersburg. Baku Grand Slam winner Tushishvili, 22, won his second IJF World Judo Tour gold medal at the expense of 30-year-old world number one David Moura (BRA).

A seoi-nage after two minutes put the Georgian ahead by a waza-ari score before throwing the Brazilian for ippon in an incredible showcase of his talent which is still raw and will greatly improve on the road to Tokyo 2020. Tushishvili screamed with satisfaction as he held both arms up towards the Georgian supporters to end the 2017 season in sublime fashion.

In the first semi-final Moura threw The Hague Grand Prix silver medallist Maciej Sarnacki (POL) twice, scoring a waza-ari each time, to progress to the last final of the competition. In the second semi-final Tushishvili saw off double Olympic bronze medallist Rafael Silva (BRA) after the South American was penalised for a third time to receive hansoku-make. Moura won the extra bonus of the IJF of 50,000 USD.

The first bronze medal was won by Silva as Rio 2016 Olympic flagbearer Battulga Temuulen (MGL) gifted a spot on the podium to the Brazilian by receiving his third shido after 58 seconds of golden score.                  

The second and last bronze medal contest saw Openweight World Championships bronze medallist Alex Garcia Mendoza (CUB) overcome Sarnacki by a waza-ari score to capture the final place on the +100kg medal podium.

Read all the news about the IJF World Masters in St. Petersburg.