Home win for Vazha Margvelashvili in Tbilisi

Georgian star Vazha Margvelashvili (GEO) won a thrilling encounter in the U66kg final of the Grand Prix in Tbilisi as the home star defeated Junior world champion Daniel Cargnin (BRA) to win gold.

Cargnin, 20, stepped into the Georgian lion’s den without hesitation as he went about his craft in the most intense atmosphere he will ever have experienced courtesy of the Georgian fans who create arguably the loudest atmosphere on the IJF World Judo Tour. World Judo Masters bronze medallist Margvelashvili thought he had won it with 12 seconds left in regulation time but upon a video review his waza-ari was cancelled after his attack was made from a bear hug grip. The final required golden score and after two minutes the young Brazilian was penalised for dropping to receive hansoku-make after a spirited effort from both men. Cargnin, who is from Judo Sogipa which is the same club as Maria Portela and Mayra Aguiar, will remain in Europe to compete at the Antalya Grand Prix next week.

In the first semi-final Margvelashvili defeated defending champion Lasha Giunashvili (GEO) by ippon from a ko-soto-gake having led by a waza-ari score. In the second semi-final Junior Asian Championships silver medallist Alireza Khojasteh (IRI) received his marching orders in golden score against Junior world champion Daniel Cargnin (BRA). The Iranian judoka picked up a third shido to receive hansoku-make as Cargnin booked a place in the final.

The first bronze medal was won by 21-year-old Agadir Grand Prix bronze medallist Daniel Jean (FRA) who stormed past Khojasteh with a beautiful osoto-gari to win in style. France’s young -66kg hope has now won two Grand Prix bronze medals in a row and offers a source of excitement for his country’s men’s team who have endured a difficult time of late.

The second bronze medal went to 21-year-old Tunis Grand Prix winner Shakhram Akhadov (UZB) who threw GIUNyyASHVILI on two separate occasions with his trademark seoi-nage and scored a waza-ari each time to outclass the home judoka.