Kim Won Jin tanks confidence in Tashkent

Kim Won Jin (KOR) became the winner of the men’s U60 division at the Grand Slam in Tokyo. His first gold medal since his victory at the Masters in 2021 in Doha. With a little more fantasy that makes Kim a medal candidate for the World Championships in Doha in May this year.

At the bottom of the draw, Lukhumi Chkhvimiani (GEO), world champion in 2019 in Tokyo, seemed to have a wide open boulevard in front of him to reach the final but unfortunately for him, he couldn't win against Nurkanat Serikbayev (KAZ) who was on his way to joining Kim in the final.

Despite the willingness of Serikbayev not to be impressed, it did not take too much time for Kim to overturn his opponent with a brilliant counter attack for ippon and the gold medal.

Ahmad Yusifov (AZE) and Lukhumi Chkhvimiani (GEO) still had the chance to step onto the podium in the first contest for a bronze medal. We witnessed a wrestling match in a pure clinch style, during which only penalties were distributed. As the end of the fight approached, we acknowledged a perfect example of the rule discussed at the refereeing seminar the day before. Chkhvimiani, who had his arm wrapped around his opponent's arm, applied tension on Yusifov's straight arm while trying to throw. It was a clear hansoku-make for Chkhvimiani and a bronze medal for Ahmad Yusifov.

Romaric Wend-Yam Bouda (FRA) offered himself a chance of a medal against Doston Ruziev (UZB). As both competitors perfectly neutralised one another during normal time, Bouda having only one shido to his name, it was time for golden score. After a few seconds, the Frenchman received a second penalty. A bit frustrated and without strategy, Bouda couldn't find the solution to throw. Out of breath, he threw his last energy into the battle as Doston Ruziev was doing too. We had to wait 4:22 into golden score to eventually see Ruziev score a waza-ari to win the bronze in front of an ecstatic crowd. 168th on the World Ranking List in the morning, this result will propel Ruziev way, way up the ranking list.