Kubanychbek Aibek Uulu writes history for Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan earned a place at the World Judo Map on Friday with the victory of Kubanychbek Aibek Uulu at the Grand Slam in Georgia. Aibek Uulu became the first of his country to win a World Tour event ever in the history.

In the final The Kyrgyz was able to surprise Baskhuu Yondonperenlei (MGL) Pundits expected to see again Yondonperenlei showing his strength but Kubanychbek Aibek Uulu had something in mind. With an ashi-waza masterpiece he catapulted the Mongolian judo to the ground for an exceptional ippon with sticky footwork. It was gold for Kubanychbek Aibek Uulu (KGZ) who will climb a long way up the world ranking ladder with this victory. In the semi final he had beaten Home fav Vazha Margvelashvili and Aibek Uulu offered himself a ticket to a historic gold medal.

Gusman Kyrgyzbayev (KAZ) and Bogdan Iadov (UKR) battled for the first bronze medal. Kyrgyzbayev was the first to really deliver a proper and strong attack, but to do so he head-dived, which is strictly forbidden for clear and obvious security reasons. Gusman Kyrgyzbayev is a well trained athlete with really good physical capacities and as such he's a role model for the young generation. Head-diving is dangerous and that needs to be carefully monitored. The bronze medal was therefore for Bogdan Iadov.

Matteo Piras (ITA) had a lot to do with Vazha Margvelashvili (GEO) for the second bronze medal, while the Georgian could count on the support of his public. Despite that support Margvelashvili never seemed in the position to take the advantage. His attacks did not work and Piras did not let his chance pass, countering Margvelashvili for a waza-ari and pinning him down for ippon. About to let his joy explode, his coach, Raffael Toniolo, told him to first get back to his place, to bow, show respect to his opponent and to the referee and after that to celebrate. This is something we are happy to see.