Final

Rafael Macedo (BRA) vs Murad Fatiyev (AZE)

The contest began at a furious pace. Fatiyev appeared to take an early lead with a yuko after just 20 seconds, following a counter near the edge of the tatami. However, after video review, it was confirmed that there had been no valid impact, and the score was cancelled.

It was then Macedo who seized control. With a strong hip movement, he scored a yuko to move ahead. Under pressure, he later received a penalty for passivity but in the following exchange he managed to transition smoothly into a beautifully executed juji-gatame. Fatiyev had no choice but to submit; ippon for Macedo and the gold medal for Brazil.

Bronze Medal Contests

Adam Kopecky (CZE) vs Cristiano Mincinesi (ITA)

With one minute remaining, each judoka had received a single penalty. Kopecky, however, found the decisive moment, scoring a first yuko with a te-waza action as his opponent was already off balance, almost on the ground. Thirty seconds later, he doubled the score and it was enough to claim the bronze medal and a well-deserved spot on the podium.

Vojin Mandic (SRB) vs Tiziano Falcone (ITA)

Within the opening thirty seconds, Falcone took control, scoring waza-ari on the ground with a hold-down, although Mandic narrowly escaped before the full count. Given the intensity Falcone was applying, it seemed unlikely the bout would end there and indeed, a few moments later, he launched a powerful o-uchi-gari, pinning his opponent flat for ippon. It was a spectacular finish and a first grand prix bronze medal for Italy’s Tiziano Falcone.