World number one Kukolj back to form with maiden Grand Prix gold medal

World number one and European champion Aleksandar Kukolj (SRB) was back among the medallists for the first time since June as he went unbeaten to win the U90kg title which represented his first Grand Prix win. Kukolj came into the arena and touched the mat as he visualised victory before exiting the field of play an hour before the final block.

The Serbian went in front against Magomed Magomedov (RUS) with a ko-uchi-gari with 30 seconds left on the clock and had no trouble staying busy to see out the remaining seconds. The 26-year-old tightened his grip of the world number one position ahead of his teammate and world champion Nemanja Majdov (SRB) and will be in line for the $50,000 bonus which will go to all world leaders at the end of the year.

In the first semi-final Kukolj tapped out European u23 Championships bronze medallist Rafal Kozlowski (POL) with a juji-gatame to guarantee an overdue and very welcome return to the medal podium for the Serbian star. In the second semi-final Junior European Championships bronze medallist Jesper Smink (NED) succumb to Magomedov who prevailed by two waza-ari scores which went unanswered.

The first bronze medal was won by Smink as the 19-year-old Dutchman beat Junior World Championships bronze medallist Eduard Trippel (GER). smink opened the final block in style for the hosts as he caught Trippel first with an osoto-makikomi for a waza-ari and then with a ko-uchi-gari for ippon. The German 20-year-old never established his rhythm and had to settle for fifth-place as he did at his home Grand Prix in Dusseldorf in February.

The second bronze medal went to world number 265 Kozlowski who defeated Abu Dhabi Grand Slam winner Nikoloz Sherazadishvili (ESP). The 22-year-old Grand Prix rookie from Poland was the only judoka to score and that was in the form of a waza-ari from a driving ippon-seoi-nage.

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