Georgii Zantaraia still in top shape with overwhelming skills

One of the major favs for the IJF Masters in Rabat., Mikhail Pulyaev (RUS) was defeated in the semi-final by Dzmitry Shershan of Belarus with a superb ippon. In the final, the Belarusian was opposed to Georgii Zantaraia (UKR), who produced one of his best competition performances ever. Less active than his opponent, Zantaraia was penalised with a first shido for passivity. But this was nothing to impress the former world champion U60kg (Rotterdam 2009), who with a powerful koshi-waza put a full stop to a fantastic day for him.

The first bronze medal fight saw the bronze medallist of the 2010 world championships, Loic Korval  (FRA), opposed to Davaadorj Tumurkhuleg (MGL). As both athletes were not able to score anything, the difference was made by the number of penalties, two on the French side, one for Davaadorj, who thus won the bronze medal.

The second bronze medal fight opposed Takaichi Kengo (JPN) and Mikhail Pulyaev (RUS). After one minute and a half, both competitor were penalised with a shido for passivity, Pulyaev looking more forceful on his attacks, which were just lacking of precision. But the only strong attack of the Japanese, with a right handed drop-morote-seoi-nage, was enough to score ippon, giving no chance to Pulyaev to escape.