Ivan Vorobev back in the scene with gold in Tyumen

Russian judoka Ivan Vorobev rose to the occasion in his home city and home event as he defeated Olympic bronze medallist Antoine Valois-Fortier of Canada for the first time to clinch U81kg gold at the Grand Slam of Tyumen.

Valois-Fortier, who is the in-form judoka in the category after triumphing at the Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix, and is ready launch his strongest challenge yet for world gold next month, was penalised with a shido with 60 seconds remaining and that breathed new life into the chants of ‘Russia, Russia’ among the animated crowd. When the Russian team calls on Vorobev he always delivers and he proved himself again today.  Vorobev is the world bronze medallist in 2013 in Rio, but disappeared from the scene for one year as precaution for having a doubtful energy drink.

In the first semi-final Valois-Fortier was cool and collected as the home fans rooted for Tbilisi Grand Prix bronze medallist Sirazhudin Magomedov (RUS). Valois-Fortier took the lead with a waza-ari as he countered a weak uchi-mata attempt from the Russian by taking control of the movement and rolling his opponent onto his back for the score. In the second semi-final Aslan Lappinagov (RUS) saw his dreams of a home win evaporate courtesy of his compatriot Vorobev on shido penalties. The crowd applauded both judoka off the tatami as they could only be separated by shido penalties after five minutes with three shidos against Lappinagov and only two against Vorobev.

 Both bronze medal contests pitted Russian judoka against German opposition in the opening contests of the final block and the visitors triumphed to take home both medals.

The first bronze medal was clinched by European Games bronze medallist Alexander Wieczerzak (GER) who beat 21-year-old Lappinagov. A waza-ari from Wieczerzak was the only score registered as Lappinagov lacked any real impetus at the most important time. The second bronze medal was won by Budapest Grand Prix bronze medallist Sven Maresch (GER) who defeated former European champion Magomedov. The Russian judoka was penalised for passivity before Maresch was penalised for a false attack but the German fighter came through to score a waza-ari with a ko-uchi-gari and held down Magomedov for 15 seconds to seal his place on the podium.