Russian Mikhail Pulyaev convinces at Grand Slam Baku

Double world silver medallist Mikhail Pulyaev of Russia left little doubt of who is Russia’s premier judoka in the U66kg category with a golden showcase at the final Grand Slam in the Rio 2016 Olympic qualification phase. Asian Games bronze medallist Azamat Mukanov (KAZ) opposed Pulyaev (RUS) in the final with the Russian eager to show his best judo having not been picked for the European Championships in Kazan last month.

Pulyaev, who said afterwards that he considered himself to be Russia’s number one in the category before today’s competition, threw Mukanov for ippon after just 29 seconds to top the podium while Mukanov has a platform to go one better at his home event next week as the IJF World Judo Tour lands in Kazakhstan for the Almaty Grand Prix.

In the first semi-final Dusseldorf Grand Prix bronze medallist Pulyaev bested former world silver medallist Sugoi Uriarte (ESP) by a yuko score while in the second semi-final surprise package Kenneth Van Gansbeke (BEL) tapped out to a juji-gatame from Asian Games bronze medallist Azamat Mukanov (KAZ) after just 78 seconds.

The first bronze medal was won by home judoka and former Abu Dhabi Grand Slam silver medallist Tarlan Karimov (AZE) who beat Van Gansbeke by ippon after 61 seconds of golden score. The second bronze medal went to Spain’s Uriarte who won the battle of youth versus experience as he defeated 21-year-old European Championships bronze medallist Fabio Basile (ITA) by a yuko.