Komei Kawabata world champion in a mature weight category U90kg

The two finalists in the U90kg category of the Junior World Championships in Odivelas Portugal were not really surprises. On one side we found Vugar Talibov of Azerbaijan, the world number one, silver medallist of the last junior European championships and winner of the Youth Olympic Games in 2018 in Buenos Aires. Being a sure bet in the category, he did not succumb to the pressure linked to his rank and eliminated Rares Arsenie (ROU) in the first round, then Umedjon Rajabov (TJK) and Maksims Duinovs (LAT), before destroying the hopes of a final of Aaron Santamaria Rodriguez (ESP) in the semi-final.

On the other side it was the Japanese Komei Kawabata who eliminated all the competition. Like his teammates, Kawabata demonstrated a wide range of techniques and standing-to-ground sequences. Completely in control, with an allied force of flexibility and power, in pure Japanese style, he joined Talibov for yet another final with a Japanese presence.

With both athletes looking for the low ippon-seoi-nage, it was an entertaining final, that from time to time looked like randori as they were both relaxed. That didn't mean that there was no power involved, but just that they were looking for the beautiful movements. At that game, Komei Kawabata still showed more ability to throw and even he couldn't score, although he unbalanced his opponent several times. Normal time concluded with two shido for Talibov when Kawabata only had one to his name. Unfortunately for Talibov the third penalty came after a few seconds of golden score. This gold medal for Kawabata was gold number seven for Japan.

Maksims Duinovs (LAT), having won his repechage contest, faced Alisher Samanov (UZB) to reach the podium. With eight seconds to go only, after a sequence where techniques were coming from both sides, it was Maksims Duinovs who performed a low tai-otoshi for ippon and the bronze medal.

Jaemin Choi (KOR) and Aaron Santamaria Rodriguez (ESP) qualified for the bronze medal contest. The medal went to Spain with an o-uchi-gari at the edge of the competition area, perfectly controlled by Aaron Santamaria Rodriguez.

The most successful former Junior World Champion in history is Lash Bekauri who won the Olympic title in 2021 and Zurab Zviadauri who won the Olympic title in 2012 and his first Junior world title in 2000. But also former Junior world Championships were extremely successful at senior level, which shows the maturity of this class even at this age. Varlam Liparteliani, Krisztian Toth, Beka Gviniashvili all successful examples. A good outlook for new world champ Kawabata.