Nicolas Messner

The final for women U52kg in Qingdao was between Mascha Ballhaus who held a slight advantage in the standing exchanges, against Fujishiro repeatedly looked to capitalise in ne-waza whenever the opportunity arose. With less than a minute remaining, the Japanese judoka combined both aspects perfectly. A powerful sode-tsuri-komi-goshi earned her waza-ari before she immediately followed the attack into kansetsu-waza, forcing the submission for ippon. It was a superb demonstration of transition judo and it secured Japan's second gold medal of the day.

Maysa Pardayeva (TKM) was a huge surprise in Qingdao winning gold 52kg in her weight class and she continued her remarkable run by defeating Japan's Momo Tamaoki (JPN) in the semi-final. The final was therefore set between the French newcomer Martha Fawaz and the Turkmen judoka, both chasing the biggest success of their careers.

Japanese super star Hifumi Abe once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the finest judoka of his generation. Apart from a bronze medal at last year's world championships in Budapest, the Japanese star has remained virtually untouchable for years. Since claiming bronze at the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo and the defeat in Budapest, he has not suffered a defeat on the international stage. It is an extraordinary record.

The final for women U63kg in Qingdao brought together two of Asia's finest young talents and immediately lived up to expectations. JiSu Kim (OR) came within inches of taking the lead with a spectacular reverse seoi-otoshi in classic Korean style, only for Japanese Narumi Tanioka to escape by the narrowest of margins. Less than a minute later, however, the Korean found her breakthrough, driving home a perfectly timed o-uchi-gari to score a yuko and move ahead. Tanioka refused to panic and, with time running out, levelled the score shortly before the end of normal time to force golden score.

The Japanese team is busy with a statement in Qingdao as Japan rules the medal table, also in the men's -73 kg category which is one of the most unpredictable events of the day. The gold medal contest brought together two former Paris Grand Slam winners and quickly developed into a gripping, tactical battle. Japan’s Tatsuki Ishihara and Uzbek Shakhram Ahadov in a fight for the grip which dominated the opening exchanges, neither judoka willing to concede even the smallest advantage.

Yahor Varapayeu of Belarus, one of the outsiders at the beginning of the day, built quiet momentum on the opposite half of the draw. His victory over world champion Goki Tajima (JPN) opened the door to the semi-finals, where he halted Erzhan Kanatbekov's (KGZ) impressive run, to reach the biggest final of his career. While Schimidt relied on consistency and control, the Belarusian combined tactical maturity with growing confidence to underline his credentials.

The -78 kg category produced a final between Anna Monta Olek (GER) and Mizuki Sugimura (JPN) after a day in which both judoka found the right balance between control, patience and decisive attacks. Olek set the tone early, progressing through the top half of the draw with increasing authority. After overcoming Darya Kantsavaya (BLR), she was pushed by Liz Ngelebeya (FRA) before taking control against Martina Esposito (ITA) and then stopped Beatriz Freitas (BRA) in the semi-finals. The German looked focused when the contests became tighter, finding answers at key moments and gradually imposing herself as the strongest athlete in her half of the draw.

Tamerlan Bashaev (RUS) reminded everyone why he remains one of the division's reference points. After opening his campaign in Qingdao against home judoka Li Ruixuan (CHN), he removed top seed Ushangi Kokauri (AZE) from the title race before producing perhaps his most impressive performance in the semi-finals, dispatching Martti Puumalainen (FIN) in just 41 seconds with a massive seoi-otoshi for ippon. Efficient and clinical, the Russian rarely looked troubled on his way to another World Judo Tour final.

Throughout the day of the Grand Prix in Qingdao, Elis Startseva grew in confidence and she carried that momentum into the final from the very first exchange. Strong and powerful, the Russian imposed her rhythm quickly. When Fontaine launched an attack that lacked conviction, Startseva seized the opportunity, countered decisively and immediately secured an osaekomi for an emphatic ippon, leaving no doubt about the outcome and claiming a thoroughly deserved gold medal.

Adam Sangariev (RUS) never looked under pressure at the Grand prix of Qingdao as he progressed through the top half of the draw. He began by defeating world silver medallist Kyle Reyes (CAN), before overcoming Georgios Kroussaniotakis (CYP) by ippon in just one minute and then ending the home challenge of Huang Fuchun (CHN). In the semi-finals, he halted Karl Baathe's (SWE) impressive run to secure a place in the final, having dictated the pace of each of his contests with remarkable assurance.