Hifumi Abe faces An Baul in semi final

Two out of the four top seeds in the men’s U66kg category in Baku's World Championships were able to overcome tricky contests in the pool stage to secure semi-final spots. A clash is coming up with An vs Abe. But in the morning session there was lots a great action.

European Championships bronze medallist and world number one Tal Flicker (ISR) held firm in pool A. Daniel Cargnin (BRA) bested Nijat Shikhalizada (AZE) and Pavel Petrikov (CZE). The Israeli survived a lengthy quarter-final battle against Daniel Cargnin (BRA) which required six minutes of golden score before Flicker produced a waza-ari score.

His teammate Baruch Shmailov (ISR) did not fare so well as he suffered a surprise third round loss against world number 36 Yerlan Serikzhanov (KAZ). The surprise package from Kazakhstan then defeated Ganbold Kherlen (MGL) in the quarter-finals.

Abe Hifumi (JPN) lit up the preliminaries with a breathtaking display of ippon judo to power into the last four with ease. Georgii Zantaraia moved up well and has won so many World Championships medals, he is still in the race to win another one but lost to Abe in the quarter.

In pool D, 2017 world bronze medallist Vazha Margvelashvili (GEO) came unstuck against Sebastian Seidl (GER) in round three by ippon in a fantastic fight. Olympic silver medallist An Baul (KOR) book his spot in the last four at the expense of Mikhail Puliaev (RUS) after the Russian had overcome Seidl. The former world champion claimed the fourth and final pool. Puliaev will meet Zantaraia which is also a great repechage match.

In the women's division U52kg Uta Abe is still in the race for a unique double. No brother-sister combination have ever been world champion.

Semi-Finals

Tal Flicker (ISR) v Yerlan Serikzhanov (KAZ)

Hifumi Abe (JPN) v An Baul (KOR)

Repechage

Daniel Cargnin (BRA) v Kherlen Ganbold (MGL)

Georgii Zantaraia (GEO) v Mikhail Puliaev (RUS)