Peter Paltchik back with gold in Tel Aviv

The first of the two most anticipated finals in Tel Aviv, positioned the silver medalist of the World Junior Championships 2015, Leonardo Goncalves of Brazil, and the world number 7, homeplayer Peter Paltchik against each other, Peter supported by a whole people. A little slow at the beginning of the day, Paltchik gradually increased in power to deliver an anthology match in the semi-final against world medalist Karl-Richard Frey (GER).

A little more discreet or less under the scrutiny of the public, Goncalves traced his route, without trembling, to face the Israeli.

The first big fright for the Israeli camp came when Goncalves launched a superb harai-goshi, that sent Paltchik flying in the air, but he escaped miraculously to land on his stomach. Dominated by his opponent physically and technically, but more present tactically and supported unconditionally by the audience, Paltchik found the only opportunity at his disposal to score a liberating waza-ari to take the lead. It only remained for him to control the fierceness of his opponent for very long seconds before the audience exploded with joy and celebrated for long minutes. 'Peter, Peter, Peter', chanted thousands of spectators. The echoes of their song will resonate for a long time in Tel Aviv.

The first bronze medal match was contested by Kacper Szczurowski (POL) and the double world medalist, Karl-Richard Frey (GER), barely recovered from his semi-final against Peter Paltchik, but he recovered enough to win as Szczurowski was disqualified after having been awarded with three shidos. This is the 15th medal at a Grand Prix for Frey.

In the second match for the bronze medal, Rafael Buzacarini (BRA), silver medalist in Brasilia in 2019, met Daniel Mukete (BLR), U23 European Champion in 2019. One minute before the end, Rafael Buzacarini scored a first waza-ari with a shoulder technique, which he concluded on the floor for ippon and an eleventh medal at a Grand Prix.