Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov books another Grand Slam victory U73kg

Mongolia is building a formidable team, given the convincing results in Ulaanbaatar. The spearhead of the squad is in this category and responds to the name of Tsogtbaatar Tsend-Ochir. Bronze medalist in Tokyo, he already knows the difficulty of the professional circuit.

Tsogtbaatar is the number two in the world ranking and had not been seen since the Grand Slam in Paris. By competing in Mongolia, the odds in his favor skyrocketed, and he did not disappoint by reaching the final with authority. To get the gold, you had to defeat the IJF representative Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov, winner of the Baku Grand Slam in 2021. Two young men with boss stripes who also seek to shake up the established order, erase illustrious names such as Ono, Shavdatuashvili and Orujov.

The temperature rose a few degrees because the public had seen all morning that they were both fit and it was Makhmadbekov who started the best, with an express waza-ari. Tsend-Ochir did not get nervous and attacked, which is what he likes the most but he did it late and it was not as explosive as on other occasions. Makhmadbekov stopped all the offensives and got the first gold for the IJF representatives. Ankhzaya Lavjargal wanted to add to Mongolia's medal haul, but so did Tohar Butbul (ISR), inspired by Sharir's efforts. Israel had a good day and Mongolia had a good weekend. It was a very even duel, very even and another golden score.

The day was getting longer but when there is good judo, it doesn't matter. Lavjargal lost his concentration and conceded a wonderful ippon from Butbul, a textbook de-ashi-barai for a bronze and a huge ovation from the public, a fairplay public that appreciates good judo and pays tribute to the judoka who make it enjoyable, regardless of the flag.

The second bronze was a duel between Uzbeks, Obidkhon Nomonov and Shakhram Akhadov, who train together, eat together and know each other perfectly. Another golden score, for a change and in the end it was hansoku make against Akhadov and bronze for Nomonov.