Yakhyo Imamov is back with international gold medal

Yakhyo Imamov of Uzbekistan was the happiest man of Budapest after winning the Grand Prix U81kg in the Hungarian capital. After his victory at the Grand Slam of Paris Imamov was on the international map of everyone and suffered a bit with the success. Last year he couldn't convince with just a silver medal at the Grand Prix Tashkent, but this first success of the year is inked with gold.

The 30-year old Imamov was victorious against last year's bronze medallist Alain Schmitt of France. The Uzbek star scored a waza-ari with a stunning right-sided uchi-mata-makikomi and Schmitt could not find a way back as Imamov enjoyed ending his overdue wait for Grand Prix gold.

In the first semi-final Imamov defeated Tyumen Grand Slam bronze medallist Stanislav Semenov (RUS) by the maximum score from an ippon seoi-nage after leading by a waza-ari. In the second semi-final Schmitt had the measure of Tokyo Grand Slam bronze medallist Alexander Wieczerzak (GER) to secure a place in the -81kg final. The Frenchman, who has pedigree as a former world bronze medallist, registered two yuko scores and the German was unable to produce a score of his own.

The first bronze medal was clinched by Dusseldorf Grand Prix bronze medallist Sven Maresch (GER) who defeated colleague Wieczerzak. Maresch showed a good reaction to his recent dip in form - something he concede himself before the competition – to be back amongst the medals on the World Judo Tour courtesy of a waza-ari score. The second bronze medal was won by Tashkent Grand Prix winner Roman Moustopoulos (GRE) who edged Semenov by the narrowest of scoring margins as his one yuko proved the difference in a closely contested contest.