Masashi Ebinuma leaves no doubts about victory in Dusseldorf

World champion Ebinuma Masashi (JPN) won the gold medal U966kg in Dusseldorf's Grand Prix as he home player Rene Schneider (GER) in the final. Schneider, defeated Oberwart European Open bronze medallist, was guaranteed the first Grand Prix medal of his career, had won all four of his previous contests by ippon in a breakout display.

However, Olympic bronze medallist Ebinuma was in electric form as he threw for waza-ari twice in quick succession with the second coming from a drop seoi-nage. Despite seeing their only finalist of the day defeated in ruthless fashion the crowd showed their appreciation for the sublime skill of the Japanese star with a warm ovation as he won by wazari-awasette-ippon.  

EBINUMA progressed to the final at the expense of Moscow Grand Slam bronze medallist Luiz Revite (BRA) who fell by ippon to ashi-waza after just 90 seconds. Schneider denied an all-Japanese final by over coming 21-year-old Tokyo Grand Slam bronze medallist Miyazaki Ren (JPN) by ippon in 73 seconds which earned an emphatic ovation from the home fans.  

The first bronze medal was won by world number one Davaadorj Tumurkhuleg (MGL) who saved his best until last as he produced a ko-soto-gake with 30 seconds remaining for ippon to defeat REVITE with the first score in their contest. The second bronze medal contest former European champion Alim GADANOV (RUS) who dominated MIYAZAKI with a waza-ari from an ouchi-gari before sealing the victory in style with a second ouchi-gari which floored the Japanese judoka with a powerful execution of ashi-waza.