Four Asian men in the semi finals U73kg

At the third day of the World Championships in Astana again a full Asian Semi final is opposed in the category U73kg. Ono Shohei was the winner of the toughest pool where he defeated World Ranking number two Sagi Muki in the quarter final. Ono’s block was doable but Muki had to survive among Uematsu, Duprat and Van Tichelt. An Chang-rim of Korea also had a huge pool B with Sainjargal whom he defeated in the quarter final. But it wasn’t easy so far for An who overcame Montenegro sensation Nikola Gusic, he bested Olympic Champion (U66kg) Mansur Isaev by penalties. An further defeated triple World medallist Dex Elmont and dangerous German Igor Wandtke.

On the other side of the schedule Hong Kuk-Hyon, last year’s runner up became the winner of his pool. In the quarterfinal he bested Ganbaatar Odbayar, Jezek, Contini and Cheung. Ganbaatar survived among Tatalashvili and Chouchi.

The last Asian is World Champion Nakaya Riki. He had the best draw but still had to defeat Ungvari Miklos who reached the quarter final and repechage. Victor Scvortov was one of the victims in this pool.

Semi finals:

Ono vs An 2-0, Dusseldorf 2015 and Tokyo 2014.

Hong vs Nakaya 1-0, last year’s final

Shohei Ono became World Champion 2013 in Rio de Janeiro. Won the World Junior Championships U20 in 2011 in Cape Town. In 2015 she won the Grand Prix in Dusseldorf.

Chang-Rim An won the World Junior Championships U21 in 2014 in Miami. He won the Grand Prix in Jeju as first international IJF event in his career. In 2015 he added the Universiade in Korea U66kg. Has Japanese roots, his parents live in Kyoto (JPN).

Hong Kuk Hyon grew to the top 10 in the world U73kg. He won the Grand Prix of Qingdao in 2014 U73kg. He won silver at the World Championships in 2014 in Chelyabinsk against Ebinuma. He was Asian champion in 2013.

Riki Nakaya is World Champion 2014 in Chelyabinsk and 2011 in Paris U73kg. He was finallist of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.