Like the -57s, in the little game of eliminating the top seeds, the -81kg category was not left out. It was Gor Karapetyan (ARM) who did best, qualifying brilliantly for the final. At the top of the draw, Alisher Samanov was not expected at such a party, but it was he who finally qualified to meet Karapetyan for the awarding of the world title.
Alisher Samanov (UZB) vs Gor Karapetyan (ARM)
There was a feeling in the venue that the final would not go to full time but with just one minute left on the clock, there was a waza-ari apiece, both attacking non-stop. The fact is though that it did go to the final gong and we were invited to enjoy the ballet of these two cats for a little longer. They attacked and defended simultaneously in an incredible battle. It was eventually Gor Karapetyan who scored again to win and to add one more country to the list of nations winning gold medals.
Alisher Samanov (UZB) vs Gor Karapetyan (ARM)
Panagiotis Kyvelidis (GRE) kept the fire going throughout the day. No doubt he lacked a little something to stop him reaching the final. He nevertheless qualified to face Dusan Grahovac (SRB) for the bronze medal. It was a difficult match for Kyvelidis as Grahovac had the full support of the public and it definitely played a role. Under the hurrahs, Grahovac pinned his opponent for ippon and for bronze.
Panagiotis Kyvelidis (GRE) vs Dusan Grahovac (SRB)
Dusan Grahovac (SRB)
Thomas Puchly (FRA) did not qualify for the final like his teammates from earlier in the competition, but he was nevertheless present for a match for bronze against Igor Tsurkan (UKR). The latter quickly raised his hands in celebration after he obtained the submission with a juji-gatame but the ippon was cancelled since it came from a direct combination of tomoe-nage and juji-gatame, which is not allowed; there must be a separation between the two techniques.
Thomas Puchly (FRA) vs Igor Tsurkan (UKR)
Igor Tsurkan (UKR)
Regardless of the review and change of score, the competitors continued with the same high pace but Tsurkan made a big mistake which Puchly used to pin him down for waza-ari. Ippon would have been nice for the French competitor because that was Tsurkan’s last mistake. He then went on to score a first waza-ari, followed by a second that came just after a ‘mate’ call but he finally concluded with a second waza-ari to assign the match. What a superb contest! The bronze went to Igor Tsurkan for Ukraine.
Medals, cheques and mascots were presented by Mr Milanko MUČIBABIĆ, President of the Olympic Committee of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Mr Sylvain RIGOLLET, Attaché for Cooperation of the Embassy of France in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Final (-81 kg)
SAMANOV Alisher (UZB) vs KARAPETYAN Gor (ARM)
Bronze Medal Fights (-81 kg)
KYVELIDIS Panagiotis (GRE) vs GRAHOVAC Dusan (SRB)
PUCHLY Thomas (FRA) vs TSURKAN Igor (UKR)
Final Results (-81 kg)
1. KARAPETYAN Gor (ARM)
2. SAMANOV Alisher (UZB)
3. GRAHOVAC Dusan (SRB)
3. TSURKAN Igor (UKR)
5. KYVELIDIS Panagiotis (GRE)
5. PUCHLY Thomas (FRA)
7. BAGISHOV Jamal (AZE)
7. SANSONETTI Francesco (ITA)
