The 26-year old Abdulzhalilov began the day with a first round bye after which he faced Sacha FLAMENT (FRA). Both fighter took their time to battle for grips. But with 1:36 left on the clock, Abdulzhalilov launched a powerful right-sided morote seoi nage that brought Flament crashing to his back for ippon. In the quarter final it was the turn of Sergiu OLEINIC (POR) to be thrown for ippon, this time Abdulzhalilov employing right sided sode tsuri komi goshi after only one minute for ippon. In the semi final number two seed DOVDON Altansukh (MGL) was awarded hansokumake after he made a bridge when attempting to avoid a morote seoi nage attack from Abdulzhalilov.
In the final Abdulzhalilov faced double Grand Slam gold medal winner Charles CHIBANA (BRA). In what was a beautifully balanced contest between two exacting and attacking competitors, it was Abdulzhalilov (after a minor delay for a blood injury to Chibana) who launched yet another powerful seoi nage attack that this time had Chibana bridging on his head to avoid giving up a score. It is a pity that the contest had to end with Chibana’s disqualification. However, the first thing to remember is that the referee is obliged for the safety of the athletes to issue the hansokumake. Second, it is a measure of the efforts of Abulzhalilov’s opponents to avoid his techniques that these things occur. It is understandable given the Russian’s throwing skills.
A change of location saw Russia’s Grand Slam move from Tyumen to be staged for the first time in the city of Ekaterinburg, Sverdlovsk Region. On hand to deliver gold for the home crowd on the opening day was Abdula ABDULZHALILOV (RUS) who showed both style and exceptional skill as he carved his way through the field to take his first ever IJF Judo World Tour gold in the -66kg category.
The 26-year old Abdulzhalilov began the day with a first round bye after which he faced Sacha FLAMENT (FRA). Both fighter took their time to battle for grips. But with 1:36 left on the clock, Abdulzhalilov launched a powerful right-sided morote seoi nage that brought Flament crashing to his back for ippon. In the quarter final it was the turn of Sergiu OLEINIC (POR) to be thrown for ippon, this time Abdulzhalilov employing right sided sode tsuri komi goshi after only one minute for ippon. In the semi final number two seed DOVDON Altansukh (MGL) was awarded hansokumake after he made a bridge when attempting to avoid a morote seoi nage attack from Abdulzhalilov.
In the final Abdulzhalilov faced double Grand Slam gold medal winner Charles CHIBANA (BRA). In what was a beautifully balanced contest between two exacting and attacking competitors, it was Abdulzhalilov (after a minor delay for a blood injury to Chibana) who launched yet another powerful seoi nage attack that this time had Chibana bridging on his head to avoid giving up a score. It is a pity that the contest had to end with Chibana’s disqualification. However, the first thing to remember is that the referee is obliged for the safety of the athletes to issue the hansokumake. Second, it is a measure of the efforts of Abulzhalilov’s opponents to avoid his techniques that these things occur. It is understandable given the Russian’s throwing skills.