Abdula Abdulzhalilov grabs gold at Grand Prix Antalya

After the elimination of the top seeded athlete, Davaadorj Tumurkhuleg of Mongolia finalist of the last Grand Prix of Tbilisi, the second men's final of this first day of competition of the Grand Prix Antalya saw Bektur Rysmambetov (KGZ) opposed to Abdula Abdulzhalilov of Russia, who was not among the top four athletes of the day before the start of the competition.

Thus the Russian surprisingly eliminated Baruch Shmailov (ISR), seeded number three, on a superb combination seoi-seoi-otoshi for a waza-ari in the semi-finals.

After one minute in the final, Rysmambetov was awarded with a first shido for passivity. Twenty seconds later, Abdulzhalilov scored a waza-ari with a sode-tsuri-komi-goshi technique with a change in direction. Securing that score until the end of the final, Abdulzhalilov won the gold medal.

The first bronze medal contest of the category opposed the two Mongol competitors, Davaadorj Tumurkhuleg (MGL) and Dovdon Altansukh (MGL) and it is Davaadorj Tumurkhuleg, who won the bronze after he defeated his teammate with a waza-ari.

The second bronze medal bout saw Baruch Shmailov (ISR) and Azamat Mukanov (KAZ) facing for the last spot on the podium. Halfway to the end, only one shido was awarded to Mukanov but then Shmailov took the lead with an action-reaction movement for waza-ari. Controlling until the final gong, Shmailov could enjoy this third medal on the occasion of a Grand Prix.