Judoka of the week: Kirill Denisov (RUS)

Last week at the German Open in Sindelfingen Kirill Denisov took the gold…again. Denisov is the new kid on the block in the Young team of Russia. Nine of the most probable participants for the worlds are younger than 25 years. Arsen Galstyan and Natalia Kuzyutina as representatives of the neo-generation. They are both just 20. Kirill Denisov follows with 21 years and is the man in shape and replacing 29-year old Ivan Pershin in Rotterdam in the team of Russia compared to the European Championsbhips.

Denisov is amazing in July with victories in Sindelfingen and at the IJF Grand Slam in Rio de Janeiro where Pershin finished fifth. Denisov also had an excellent pre-season winning bronze at the Grand Slam of Paris and finishing fifth in Hamburg at the Grand Prix. In Paris he lost to Dafreville (FRA) who won’t be present in Rotterdam. In Hamburg he lost to Yuya Yoshida (FRA) who isn’t selected for the worlds either. Despite the two losses Denisov marked himself this year by glorious wins. To name some world championships outsiders: Andrei Kazusionok (BLR) and Tiago Camilo (BRA).

Russia is booming in Europe and Denisov wants to become the first Russian World Champion U90kg. In the past only Ivan Pershin (bronze in 2007) and Oleg Maltsev (bronze U86kg in 1995 where the only ones to win a medal in this category.

Profile Kirill Denisov (RUS)
Weight: 90kg
Age: 21

Major honours:
Grand Slam win in Rio de Janeiro 2009
Bronze at Grand Slam in Paris 2009
Winner of two important U20 EJU A-tournaments.
Winner last weekend At German Open

Major rivals for the World Championships: Amar Benikhlef (ALG), Tiago Camilo (BRA), Andrei Kazusionok (BLR), |Ilias Iliadis (GRE), Takashi Ono (JPN), Kyu-Won Lee (KOR), David Alarza (ESP), Nicolas Brisson (FRA), Varlam Liparteliani (GEO).