“This feels fantastic,” an elated Van T End confirms to IJF Media in the Mixed Zone, still panting after the huge effort. “Gviniashvili was a tough opponent. It was no walk in the park.”

Indeed, the final bout went in Golden Score and the Dutchman got the impression he scored a waza-ari. “You think ‘yes, I got it!’, but it was annulled. That was tough. I had to recharge myself with all the energy left. Slapping my face, resetting my mind and I started anew with the same determination to pocket that gold. This gold medal means the world to me. It stands for important points towards Olympic qualification and I need them.”