Denis Iartcev from alternative to world level judoka

The World Masters U73kg were taken by Denis Iartcev, who is Russia's alternative, who is able to beat the best on a good day like this. In a surprising field strange results were booked in the early stages. Top seeded athlete, Dex Elmont (NED) was defeated during the first round by French Pierre Duprat who then lost against the current world champion, Riki Nakaya. But once again the Japanese lost his semi-final against Nugzar Tatalashvili (GEO), who was opposed to Denis Iartcev (RUS) for the title of World Master. Less than one minute was necessary for Iartcev to score a clear uchi-mata for ippon.

In the first bronze medal fight, Pierre Duprat (FRA) faced Rustam Orujov (AZE). Penalised twice, Duprat was running against the clock to try to score, at least a yuko to take the advantage. But this game is also risky and the French was first thrown with a quick ko-uchi-gari for yuko before finishing on his back after an opportunist o-soto-gari from Orujov for ippon.

Orujov is with his bronze medal the new leader of the IJF World Ranking, the only man for Azerbaijan.  

The second bronze medal fight opposed Ganbaatar Odbayar (MGL) and Nakaya Riki (JPN). After one minute and a half, Ganbaatar scored first with a left handed uchi-mata, for yuko. The situation started to become complicated when NAKAYA was penalised twice. But the Japanese remained calm and concentrated, almost sure that he would find the solution before the end and that is what he actually did by scoring a first waza-ari with a ko-uchi-gari, followed by an immobilisation for ippon.