Khasan Khalmurzaev takes home gold at World Judo Masters

Olympic champion Khasan Khalmurzaev was crowned the U81kg World Judo Masters gold medallist after a domestic meeting with European bronze medallist Aslan Lappinagov (RUS) in the final. After severe calculations it was Khalmurzaev who captured the world number position and 50,000 USD bonus on top of his gold medal.

Three out of four medals went to Russia in a category that has always served them well and gold went to Khalmurzaev who scored a waza-ari from a left-sided ko-uchi-gari which was the only time the scoreboard was breached as the home fans roared with approval after the four minutes elapsed.

In the first semi-final world number one Frank De Wit (NED) lost out to Khalmurzaev by a waza-ari which came after just 15 seconds after the home judoka prevailed in a good test for the owner of the golden backpatch in the -81kg category. In the second semi-final world number two Saeid Mollaei (IRI) was rolled over for a match-winning waza-ari score after three minutes of golden score against Lappinagov.

The first bronze medal was clinched by world number four Alan Khubetsov who defeated Mollaei with the only score of the contest. Mollaei failed with a koshi-guruma as Khubetsov countered with yoko-sutemi-waza for a waza-ari score.

The second bronze medal was won by De Wit who took Pan American Championships winner Eduardo Yudi Santos (BRA) over for ippon with 94 seconds left.

Khasan Khalmurzaev passed De Wit in their head2head in the semi final in the World Ranking as Khalmurzaev took the gold medal in the end ad took a lead of 9 points.

Read all the news about the IJF World Masters in St. Petersburg.