Mikhail Igolnikov contributes to five gold medals for Russian athletes

In the final U90kg of the Grand Slam in Ulaanbaatar Mikhail Igolnikov stunned Davlat Bobonov with a hip move that earned waza-ari. He is an uncomfortable judoka because he analyses his opponents very well and always has the right tactics to nullify them. A few seconds later, he executed a splendid ochi-gari to win a well-deserved gold.

The Uzbek Davlat Bobonov and the Dutchman Noel Van T End met in the semi-finals. This is normal, taking into account their histories and the list of participants. The same can be said for the other semi-final, between Kazakh Didar Khamza and double European Champion Mikhail Igolnikov. Bobonov is in full maturity, the teachings of his coach Ilias Iliadis and that of the sports director, Marko Spittka, have permeated the young Uzbek. Against Van ‘t End, Bobonov laid down his law, scored waza-ari and managed his lead like a veteran. Igolnikov dispatched Khamza with more trouble but without trembling. He seized his moment to score waza-ari in golden score. It was not a judo as rare as to be remembered, but was effective.

Khamza jumped at the chance to win bronze and defeated Mansur Lorsanov of the “IJF team”. The second bronze medal went to Van ‘t End, who won by hansoku make against Erland Sherov of Kyrgyzstan.

The medals of Igolnikov  and Lorsanov contributed to the victory of the IJF team, let’s face it, the Russian team to a stunning five gold medals and nine medals in total. Not easy for any of the athletes, neither for the Ukraine team trying to survive. What about the next event is the painful question. For now the IJF gave the answer.