Sweden’s Tommy Macias makes his mark in Mexico

World number seven Tommy Macias (SWE) beat former World Judo Masters gold medallist Denis Iartcev (RUS) at this own game as the Swede used his clever footwork and lethal ashi-waza to win his second Grand Prix title.

The top seed, who won the Antalya Grand Prix in April, threw with a o-uchi-gari and ko-soto-gari and scored a waza-ari on each occasion in a thrilling display. Macias won all four contests by ippon and is now on course to move further up the rankings while Iartcev will rue his errors and will aim for an opportunity to redeem himself in the remaining few months of the year.

In the first semi-final Macias defeated two-time Grand Prix bronze medallist Eduardo Barbosa (BRA) who picked up a third shido for a false attack after 38 seconds of golden score. In the second semi-final defending Cancun Grand Prix winner Marcelo Contini (BRA) lost out to Iartcev by a waza-ari score from a cutting de-ashi-barai which is the Russian’s trademark.

The first bronze medal was won by Contini who submitted Alonso Wong (PER) with a juji-gatame. World number 39 Wong won bronze in Cancun last year but had to settle for fifth-place this year as the Brazilian was sharper on the ground and won a richly-deserved medal. Wong appeared to be suffering from cramp in his right leg and Contini made sure that his opponent was ok before leaving the tatami.                                          

The second bronze medal went to Tokyo Grand Slam silver medallist Arthur Margelidon (CAN) who outfought Barbosa. Margelidon scored twice to control the contest and the destination of the final -73kg bronze medal as he first threw with a sumi-gaeshi and then countered the Brazilian with te-waza for his second and match-winning waza-ari.