Outstanding Uali Kurzhev upsets top players

Reigning Tyumen Grand Slam bronze medallist Uali Kurzhev of Russia defeated Minsk European Open winner Guillaume Chaine (FRA) in the U73kg final of the Grand Slam of Tyumen. Frenchman Chaine was contesting his first World Judo Tour final and was good value for that inaugural appearance but Kurzhev was not going to be denied in his home country and endeared himself to the home faithful as he won by a yuko score.

In the first semi-final Kurzhev shocked Abu Dhabi Grand Slam silver medallist Musa Mogushkov (RUS) with alarming ease. The 26-year-old defeated his colleague by ippon after leading the favourite Mogushkov by a waza-ari score. In the second semi-final Chaine powered past Minsk European Open bronze medallist Igor Wandtke of Germany. The Frenchman started by scoring a waza-ari in under 30 seconds and Wandtke never recovered as he was caught again by his opponent and moved down to the repechage to fight for bronze.

“The -73kg category is very strong in Russia and whilst I am very happy to win here I know that it does not prove anything other than I was best here today.” Kurshev, who comes from the city of Cherkessk in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, is a two times world sambo champion. He and his judo coach worked out a strategy that was based on using all his attacking judo skills as Kurshev is still developing his defensive capabilities.

“Of course I am interested in the Olympics and so my contest with Sainjargal was important as he is an Olympic medallist,” said Kurshev. “I did not want to fight any Russian fighters except in the final. But it worked out that I had to face Musa Mogushkov in the semi final. I had never fought him before but I guess I will fight him a lot on training camps now. He has been recovering from an injury,” said Kurshev. Invited to comment on his chances of competing at the world championships in Astana next month, Kurshev answered “Of course I’d be happy to be given the chance to compete in Astana. But this is the choice of Ezio Gamba and I am very confident that he will choose the best and who can do the best for Russia at the world championships and I have the greatest respect for his choice.”

The first bronze medal was won by Wandtke as he defeated Pan American Championships bronze medallist Arthur Margelidon (CAN). The German judoka finished fifth at the Baku Grand Slam earlier this year and showed his improvement since then by earning his first Grand Slam medal. Margelidon was penalised twice for passivity in the scoreless contest while his German foe recorded an unblemished record. The second bronze medal went to Mogushkov as 2010 world champion Akimoto Hiroyuki (JPN) could not compete for a place on the podium after sustaining a leg injury in his previous contest.