Wang Ki-Chun back with victory U81kg

The Grand Prix of Qingdao for men U81kg was captured by Wang Ki-Chun. Ki-Chun Wang was Olympic finallist for Korea in 2008 against Elnur Mammadli (AZE). Wang was World Champion in 2007 in Rio. With his famous Korean techniques he won the Grand Slam of Paris in 2009 and 2010. In 2015 he came back won the European Open in Warsaw. In QIngdao re regained the title that he won in 2011, then still U73kg.

The last final of the day opposed an old acquaintance of the international circuit, as former world number one, Wang KI-Chun, was able to make his way all the way through to the final of the most numerous category of the competition (44 athletes). To step on the top of the podium he still had to meet with Maruyama Goki (JPN), who showed spectacular judo throughout the day. After a few skirmishes, the first powerful attack came from Wang with an extraordinary tai-otoshi, from which Maruyama miraculously escaped for no score. But still the Korean had to run after the score as early during the contest, he was penalised with a shido. Both athletes offered an incredible show of attacks, although neither of them scored and it looked like the Japanese would win with a single shido. But Wang being more active, forced a penalty for his opponent at the very last second. Time for golden score. Finally it is Wang who wanted the victory more and with a super-low tai-otoshi scored a waza-ari. Is Wang on the way to the top?

The first bronze medal fight opposed the winner of the last Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, Ivanov, who created the surprise a few weeks ago and who once again, was present in the final block of a major competition. This time it was only to get the bronze, but he did not let the opportunity vanish to win an other international medal and scored a superb drop-seoi-nage against Ivan Felipe Silva Morales (CUB).

The second bronze medal was won by Otgonbaatar Uuganbaatar (MGL) against Marcel Ott (AUT). If the Austrian rapidly took the lead with a yuko, he couldn’t avoid the seoi-nage technique of the Mongol and heavily landed on his back for ippon.