Today was different however, as both Russians took their opportunity to wreak havoc among a field that contained current Asian champion and number one seed NYAMSUREN Dagvasuren (MGL). But it was unseeded Semenov who on his way to the top prize got things underway in the first round by defeating GANKHUYAG Turmunkh (MGL) with a breathtaking uchi mata for ippon. Semenov’s second round opponent was Asaf CHEN (ISR) who managed to stay the distance but could not avoid being caught twice for waza ari. This put Semenov into the quarter final where he faced Emmanuel LUCENTI (ARG) who after only 30 seconds Semenov threw with a huge o soto gari for ippon.
In the semi final Semenov came up against Tamazi KIRAKOZASHVILI (GEO) in what was one of the best contests of the day. The Russian fell behind by two scores and with only 40 seconds left on the clock looked on his way out. But a weak ko soto gake effort by the Georgian was countered by Semenov for waza ari and he followed this into kuzure kesagatame and a win via osaekomi. In the final Semenov faced virtual unknown SONG Min Ki (KOR) who had surprised most people watching with his throwing skills. However, it was Semenov who managed to come up with a single score of waza ari and hold of the Korean to take the gold medal.
What next for Semenov? It’s tough to find fault with a selection procedure that produces such success. It’s difficult to think of whom Semenov could “push out” of the team. It’s impossible to equate today’s performance with Semenov’s being 113 on the IJF World Ranking List. The points from his win in Antalya will go someway to seeing Semenov installed somewhere in the ranking list that portrays him in a more favorable light.
Russia’s depth in the -81kg category was on show on the second day of the Antalya Grand Prix with Stanislav SEMENOV (RUS) taking the gold medal. Murat KHABACHIROV (RUS) also took a bronze medal, both players hailing from Vladikavkaz. Such is the strength of the Russian team at this weight that neither of these two are likely to occupy the minds of the selectors for the forthcoming European champions to be stage in Warsaw in two weeks’ time. With such riches as Olympic champion Khasan KHALMURZAEV (RUS), 2009 world champion Ivan NIFONTOV (RUS) and a hand-full of IJF World Tour gold medallists to choose from it is not surprising that Semenov and Khabachirov rarely get a look-in. 
Today was different however, as both Russians took their opportunity to wreak havoc among a field that contained current Asian champion and number one seed NYAMSUREN Dagvasuren (MGL). But it was unseeded Semenov who on his way to the top prize got things underway in the first round by defeating GANKHUYAG Turmunkh (MGL) with a breathtaking uchi mata for ippon. Semenov’s second round opponent was Asaf CHEN (ISR) who managed to stay the distance but could not avoid being caught twice for waza ari. This put Semenov into the quarter final where he faced Emmanuel LUCENTI (ARG) who after only 30 seconds Semenov threw with a huge o soto gari for ippon.
In the semi final Semenov came up against Tamazi KIRAKOZASHVILI (GEO) in what was one of the best contests of the day. The Russian fell behind by two scores and with only 40 seconds left on the clock looked on his way out. But a weak ko soto gake effort by the Georgian was countered by Semenov for waza ari and he followed this into kuzure kesagatame and a win via osaekomi. In the final Semenov faced virtual unknown SONG Min Ki (KOR) who had surprised most people watching with his throwing skills. However, it was Semenov who managed to come up with a single score of waza ari and hold of the Korean to take the gold medal.
What next for Semenov? It’s tough to find fault with a selection procedure that produces such success. It’s difficult to think of whom Semenov could “push out” of the team. It’s impossible to equate today’s performance with Semenov’s being 113 on the IJF World Ranking List. The points from his win in Antalya will go someway to seeing Semenov installed somewhere in the ranking list that portrays him in a more favorable light.