Walide Khyar like a shooting star

The first final of the men's category opposed the former European champion, Walide Khyar (FRA) and Matjaz Trbovc (SLO) who was participating in his second Grand Prix final. But the final result was the same for the Slovenian as he had to suffer a beautiful homemade ure-nage from Khyar for one of the most spectacular ippons of the final block.

In the first bronze medal contest, the 22-year-old Miyanohara Seiya (JPN) was opposed to the more experienced and 9-year-older Ashley McKenzie (GBR), who already won 6 medals on the World Judo Tour (2 Grand Slams, 4 Grand Prix). During regular time the British was penalised twice, the first one after breaking the grip, the second for false attack as his low-left-handed-tai-otoshi was not precise enough. Unfortunately for him he received a third shido at the entrance of the golden score giving the victory to Miyanohara for a first medal in a Grand Prix.

Yassine Moudatir (MAR), four times continental champion, and the winner of the 2017 Antalya Grand Prix, Gusman Kyrgyzbayev (KAZ), met in the second bronze medal contest. Over-dominated by the strong grip of the Kazakh, Moudatir was penalized two times within the first half of the bout. But courageously, the Morocco kept trying to find an opportunity, as despite his strength, Kyrgyzbayev couldn't score either. After 1:16 of Golden score, Moudatir was penalized a third time for false attack giving the victory to Kyrgyzbayev for a second medal on a Grand Prix.