Mihael Zgank golden dreams come true in 2024

Mihael Zgank (TUR) is in good form at the moment, to say the least. Already a winner a week ago in Portugal, he reached the final again today in the biggest tournament in the world. In the absence of Olympic champion Lasha Bekauri (GEO), it must be said that the draw opened up a little, but that takes absolutely nothing away from the performance of Zgank who had a perfect tournament all the way to the final. When we spoke to the Slovenian man from Turkiye, he said, forget last week. I will have to start all over again for this tournament. So he did and can continue dreaming after today’s victory in Paris, his first Grand victory ever, even his first final.

The poster for the final Mihael Zgank (TUR) vs Eljan Hajiyev (AZE). The latter was quickly warned, he would have to be careful in ne-waza. In fact Zgank was very active early in the final, trying to turn over his opponent. It didn't work the first time, neither the second but as the end of the contest was approaching, Mihael Zgank managed to pin Hajiyev for ippon. This is the second win in a row for Zgank but his first gold medal in a grand slam.

The first contest for a bronze medal saw Komronshokh Ustopiryon (TJK) facing Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou (FRA), author of a great tournament in front of his home crowd. Supported by the whole crowd, Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou was on fire. Scoring a first waza-ari with a shoulder movement, he concluded with a second waza-ari from an o-uchi-gari. This is his third medal at a grand slam but performing in front of the Accor Hotel Arena crowd always has a better taste.

Erlan Sherov (KGZ) and Rafael Macedo (BRA) competed for the second bronze medal. It took some time to decide the winner and as the end of the contest was approaching, Erlan Sherov executed a powerful ko-soto-gari for ippon.

In the prelims Christian Parlati (ITA) began by taking out Axel Clerget (FRA) who had also started well by beating Ivaylo Ivanov (BUL) but a momentary lack of concentration later, Clerget found himself nailed on his back by a precise and opportunistic Parlati. It was the following round which was fatal for the Italian judoka, beaten by Marcus Nyman (SWE), himself defeated by Rafael Macedo (BRA). The hardest part seemed to be done for the Brazilian competitor but he finally fell against Eljan Hajiyev (AZE), third in Portugal last weekend and now took a useful bronze experience. The winner though cam from Turkiye, just like Hajiyev born in another country.