Adlan Bisultanov defeats favourite Gasimov in Baku

World number two Elmar GASIMOV (AZE) produced some highlight reel moments during his charge to the final but 2014 Zagreb Grand Prix winner Adlan BISULTANOV (RUS) did not read the script as he denied the Azerbaijan fighter a fitting finale. Former World Judo Masters bronze medallist GASIMOV, 24, trailed to a yuko score and the crowd played their part in willing on their compatriot but BISULTANOV was unperturbed and silenced the home crowd to take the title.

In the first semi-final GASIMOV came from behind to spectacularly throw Zagreb Grand Prix bronze medallist Jorge FONSECA (POR) with 13 seconds left. FONSECA broke the deadlock with 35 seconds on the clock and GASIMOV had enough in reserve to lift up FONSECA who was literally hanging over his back for a split second and was driven up and over for a majestic ippon which will be played over and over again. In the second semi-final BISULTANOV bested Dusseldorf Grand Prix winner HAGA Ryunosuke (JPN). The Russian fighter had a waza-ari advantage when HAGA executed an appealing uchi-mata for a yuko but his opponent was cautious enough to the increasing threat of the Japanese fighter who could not conjure up a second score.

The first bronze medal was won by FONSECA, his first at this level, as he returned from an agonising defeat against a home fighter to gain a taste of revenge by beating former world champion Elkhan MAMMADOV (AZE). The home fans chanted the name of their judoka and he needed the support as he gasped for oxygen against a workman like FONSECA who took the bronze medal by a single shido. The second bronze medal was won by African Championships silver medallist Ramadan DARWISH (EGY) who overcame HAGA with a single yuko which was the only time the scoreboard was in action during a nervy five minutes.      

FONSECA said: "I feel good, I am growing stronger with every competition and I have more and more belief in myself. I was disappointed with the way I lost the semi-final, I felt very bad as it was a difficult moment for me. I moved forward and was pleased to win the medal. Now I hope to qualify for the World Masters."