Beslan Mudranov destroys Orkhan Safarov in U60kg final

In Baku the first ever European Games gold medal for the men goes to Beslan Mudranov who won his third European title after defeating local favourite Orkhan Safarov in the final. At today’s lightweight categories most of the favourites survived the first shift. The final was the best on paper between the favourites from Russia and Azerbaijan's Orkhan Safarov.

A big hope for a home gold medal was based upon the performances of Orkhan Safarov. The silver medallist of the Rabat IJF Masters was close to the the title as he reached the final. Against Mudranov he tried everything and took all risk. It was Mudranov to benefit from the pressure despite the lively support of the home crowd.

Spanish Junior World Champion Francisco Garrigos reached the semis defeating Ilgar Mushkiyev (AZE) as one of his opponents. In that semi final it was Safarov who made the difference and secured a medal for the home crowd.

One of the surprises was the defeat of last year’s European finalist and Double European Champion Papinashvili against Dutch Jeroen Mooren in the quarter final.

Beslan Mudranov had a huge fight with Tobias Englmaier who got a yuko against him in the dying seconds. That gives Mudranov still the chances to retain his European title as he defeated Jeroen Mooren.

Papinashvili is going for bronze after defeating the unlucky Englmaier who was in such good shape this pre-season.

For the bronze medal Jeroen Mooren met with Swiss Ludovic Chammartin, who won silver two years ago at the European Championships in Budapest. Mooren won bronze in 2010 and 2012 but it was again Chammartin who won the match and got another European medal. The second bronze medal was for Georgian Amiran Papinashvili of Georgia who defeated Fran Garrigos of Spain, talented, but just came too short for an experienced winner as Papinashvili.

The final between Safarov and Mudranov was defintely exciting. Safarov defeated Mudranov in Rio in 2013 at the World Championships where Safarov won bronze. Mudranov took his revenge last year in Montpellier in the semi final where he beat Safarov at the European Championships and now again shows that he is Europe's best U60kg and the best Russian choise for the Olympic Games. He collected 400 points for the World Rank and a good feeling towards the World Championships in Astana.

Quotes Beslan MUDRANOV - gold

On winning the gold medal match: 

"He (SAFAROV) was very tired and I took advantage, I kept attacking him. He was trying to run from me and that's why he got two shido (penalties)."

On the crowd cheering for his Azerbaijani opponent:

"I didn't let the crowd affect me. I knew we were in Baku and I might be fighting an Azerbaijani in the final. I have experienced it before in other countries and you just have to put it out of your mind. I was ready for it."

On receiving two medals (one for European Games and one for the European championships):

"It was a nice surprise for me to be presented with two medals. I didn't know about that."