The third day of the Judo World Championships is gaining momentum in Tashkent.
The flagship event of the International Federation was engaging for the home crowd who looked forward to what promised to be a phenomenal day for the sport.
In the -57 kg category, the Brazilian Rafaela Silva, Olympic champion of 2016 and world champion in 2013, made sparks against the Bulgarian Ilieva and the Israeli Nelson Levy took her to the final against Funakubo. The Japanese dominated on the ground but did not prevail and she bowed to a dynamic Uchi-mata who brought back Silva on top of the world after 9 years. International Olympic Committee sporting director Kit McConnell presented the medals.
In the -73 kg category, 2017 world champion Soichi Hashimoto looked fit. He beat Georgian legend and reigning world champion Lasha Shavdatuashvili on his way to the final. Cheering for him was his family, moved by the great moment.
In the final he met the Mongolian Olympic bronze medalist Tsogtbaatar Tsend-Ochir. An incredible transition, with a powerful armlock against Canadian Margelidon, his highlight on the way to the final. For Tsend-Ochir the first world title for Mongolia since 2017, after the inaugural Grand Slam in Ulaanbaatar in June. A fantastic year for the champion awarded by Max-Hervé George, CEO of Ultima Group.
The former president of Mongolia and president of the Mongolian Judo Association Khaltmaa Battulga instead presented his compatriots with silver medals.
The local Uzbek team also showed phenomenal judo, with the crowd excited to see their heroes in action. And tomorrow again to hunt for medals.
