New generation heavyweight Johannes Frey grabs gold

The last final of the day and of the Grand Prix in Agadir opposed Johannes Frey (GER), who defeated the triple World Champion and London 2012 silver medallist, Alexander Mikhaylin (RUS) in the semifinal with a superb drop-seoi-nage, and the second Russian athlete of the category, Anton Krivobokov (RUS).

Being much lighter than his opponent, Johannes Frey did not have many possibilities to throw Krivobokov, even though he tried really hard in different direction and was really close to do it with a swipe movement that he unfortunately couldn't control until the end. But at the end, his willingness to throw was awarder with the victory as the Russian was penalised a third time for passivity.

The first bronze medal contest opposed Hamza Ouchani (FRA), who had no record on the international circuit, and the winner of the first Grand Prix of the season in Tunis, Oleksandr Gordiienko (UKR). Twenty seconds after the start, Gordiienko launched a massive harai-makikomi for ippon giving no chance to the French.

For the second bronze medal contest, team France put its second athlete as Nabil Zalagh was qualified against the giant Alexander Mikhaylin, 1,95m of muscle and titles. Mikhaylin was penalised a first time after having stepped out of the competition area. The second shido came for passivity a little later as the French received his first penalty. Carefully following the advice of his coaches, who were telling him to keep the same pace, Nabil Zalagh continued to be more active to make the great champion penalised for the third time.