An Chang-Rim second Korean to prolong Jeju title

Korean World bronze medallist An Changrim successfully defended his 2014 Jeju crown with victory against Belgian two-time world bronze medallist Dirk Van Tichelt in the U73kg final. An, 21, the 2014 Junior world champion, spectacularly won the final in just 40 seconds with a majestic ko-uchi-gari for the maximum score.

In the first semi-final world number one Rustam Orujov (AZE) was second best against Van Tichelt. The Azerbaijan fighter lacked his usual vigour as he was penalised twice early on for passivity and the Belgian was in the ascendancy. Van Tichelt was able to trap Orujov in osaekomi and after an initial struggle to escape, the latter could not overpower his opponent who pinned him down for 20 seconds and ippon. In the second semi-final An outperformed Tyumen Grand Slam bronze medallist Musa Mogushkov (RUS). With 55 seconds left on the clock and the contest tied with no scores registered, An threw his rival with a drop seoi-nage for a yuko score. Mogushkov was penalised for passivity and in the last 44 seconds An managed to accrue three shidos as he wisely used up the remaining time to seal his safe passage into the gold medal contest.

The first bronze medal was clinched by Mogushkov who denied 22-year-old IJF World Judo Tour tyro Chae Seonghee (KOR) a dream debut in Jeju. Mogushkov won by wazari-awasette-ippon with a ko-uchi-gari on the edge of the area giving him the contest. The second bronze medal was won by Orujov who bested Sofia European Open silver medallist Sami Chouchi (BEL) to secure a place on the podium. Chouchi scored first as he registered a yuko from an osoto-gari before being penalised twice as his attacks lacked their usual energy. Orujov equalled the score with a yuko by countering his opponent to take control and drive Chouchi over onto his back and the contest was decided on shidos.