Timur Arbuzov (RUS) arrived in Tbilisi with the red backpatch and began his day at the top of the draw. Day three of the European Championships in Tbilisi was supposed to be his but reaching the top step of the podium would not be easy, not for anyone. Three other world champions and a host of additional contenders stood ahead of him, and no one was taking the challenge lightly; sincere preparation could be seen in every corner of the warm-up room.
None other than Georgia’s very own Tato Grigalashvili was the number two seed, carry the hopes of the arena and in fact the whole country on his shoulders. He and number 3 seed Zelim Tckaev (AZE) stuck to the plan and moved through to a shared semi-final. Tato continued his run from there, beating the Azerbaijani narrowly.
Arbuzov’s path was smooth up to the semi-final but he was surprised to meet young Mihajlo Simin (SRB) there. The former cadet world number one and junior world medallist is only just starting to build his senior career but already has some promising results, not least of which is a grand prix gold earned in Lima last year. In Tbilisi he dispatched Matthias Casse just when such a win looked impossible. He was down by two penalties and under great pressure when a small mistake from the Belgian gave him the space to use his tokui-waza finally.
Simin only lost to Arbuzov by a single yuko, sending him to the bronze medal contest. The final was set, potentially a predictable one, but by no means was it a guaranteed one.
What a way to open a final! Timur Arbuzov held nothing back and launched Georgia’s hero in the first exchange with a powerful seoi-otoshi; a waza-ari was scored. In exchange two he continued and this time scored a yuko with a ko-uchi-gari. What could be expected from the third exchange? The answer came fast; a pick-up for ippon.
No debate, no review required, Timur Arbuzov showed everyone what can be achieved with focus, effective analysis and commitment. This was something truly special; this was art!
In the first bronze medal contest, Matthias Casse (BEL) and Zelim Tckaev (AZE) stepped into the arena, neither pleased to be fighting outside of the final, but both are exemplary professionals and were ready to give everything to reach the podium.
Tckaev opened the bidding with two uchi-mata attacks in quick succession, the second earning a loud landing that was initially scored ippon. Upon review it was downgraded to waza-ari but with only 15 seconds gone, this was going to be an uphill climb for the Belgian.
Casse became stronger and stronger as the fight went on, solving the gripping and pressuring at the edge of the contest area. It wasn’t enough though and Tckaev was able to breathe a sigh of relief, earning Azerbaijan their fourth medal of this championship.
Eetu Ihanamaki of Finland had a solid preliminary session, only losing to Tato Grigalashvili in their quarter-final. In the second bronze medal contest he faced Simin. The Serbian struggled to find his rhythm against the strong Finn and their contest went into golden score without notable moments. There, an attack from Ihanamaki was countered for a yuko and the result was therefore decided. This is Serbia’s first medal of the 2026 European Championships.
Author: Jo Crowley