Budapest sets the stage for the middleweights on day 4 of the OTP Bank World Judo Championships.
At -63kg, Haruka KAJU made her World Championship debut, demonstrating a groundwork masterclass on her way to the final. With only two World Tour appearances leading to two Grand Slam golds, could she continue her perfect unbeaten record here in Budapest?
Facing her in the final was Catherine BEAUCHEMIN-PINARD. Already with a World silver to her name, she was determined to walk away with the red backpatch. She too showed impressive ne-waza throughout the preliminaries, she wasn’t prepared to settle for second place again.
In a tightly contested final, it came down to golden score - the next point would determine the World Champion. A decisive piece of groundwork continued KAJU’s ne-waza success as she held her way to the top of the World.
World Rowing President & IOC Member Mr Jean-Christophe ROLLAND awarded the medals.
At -81kg, triple World Champion Tato GRIGALASHVILI arrived in Budapest as the man to beat on his quest for a fourth title. The Georgian superstar has dominated the category with his explosive techniques and was determined to extend his reign at the top of world judo. All eyes were on him as he worked his way through the preliminaries and towards history.
Timur ARBUZOV stepped up to repeat last year's World final, but this time he was looking to flip the script and take the gold medal for himself. His performances throughout the day were confident and composed and now with the gold medal match in sight, ARBUZOV looked ready to rewrite his story. He wasn’t just chasing gold, he was chasing redemption.
In the final, ARBUZOV needed to overcome one of judo’s greats to claim his place at the top. He stayed calm under pressure and scored big with an ippon that may mark the start of a new era.
IOC Member Mr Balazs FÜRJES awarded the medals.
That’s it for day 4 here in the Hungarian capital, see you tomorrow.
