Kazakh Magzhan Shamshadin follows up Yeldos Smetov

Kazachstan talent Magzhan Shamshadin now has his own world title having helped senior national team member Yeldos Smetov to capture the senior lightweight crown in Astana in August. The Kazach Junior Cadet Asian Championships bronze medallist was a key training partner for Smetov before the senior World Championships and that experience has no doubt driven him to the best result of his burgeoning career.

The 18-year-old defeated Korean Lee Harim by ippon from an uchi-mata with 16 seconds left on the clock as his team jumped out of their seats in celebration.  

"I started judo when I was 10 years old through my school and I always hoped to compete for Kazakhstan," said the gold medallist. "I helped Yeldos Smetov to prepare for the World Championships in Astana and that helped me too. I now have two more years as a junior and today I just feel so proud to win this medal for my country."

In the first semi-final Lee beat former Cadet World Championships bronze medallist Bayaraa Amartuvshin (MGL) on shido penalties. Asian Junior Championships winner BAYARAA, who took bronze on the world stage a year ago, was penalised three times while the South Korean was only penalised once. In the second semi-final Shamshadin defeated Athens Junior European Cup winner Irakli Kupatadze (GEO) by the maximum score.

The first bronze medal was won by Kupatadze against Yago Abuladze (RUS) by ippon at the halfway point while the second bronze medal was clinched by Bayaraa by ippon against an overwhelmed Natig Gurbanli (AZE).