Another epic final is on the horizon on the final day of individual competition here in Budapest in the World Judo Championships 2025. Closing out the preliminary rounds were the +100kg men. 2018 World Champion, Guram TUSHISHVILI (GEO) went head to head with defending champion, KIM Minjong (KOR) and on the adjoining tatami, 2023 World Champion and current European Champion, Inal TASOEV (IJF) faced Temur RAKHIMOV (TJK), the only semi finalist to be without a title.
Unfortunately it won’t come to pass for Rakhimov either, as Tasoev eventually found a way against his opponent, scoring waza ari with a huge uchi mata. Thankfully there were less than 40 seconds left on the clock and he was able to defend the score until the clock ran down. Both semi final gongs rang at exactly the same time, but Tushishvili was still looking for his way.
Kim had picked up two shidos and the Georgian athlete showed that he was on top form, not only with his judo but mentally he was calm and calculating. A minute into golden score, and with Kim a little desperate with two penalties to his name, attempted a sasae tsurikomi ashi, but not with the greatest balance and against Tushishvili’s strong grip, resulting in a tremendous counter!
The pair have had six head to heads, starting in the 2019 European Games when Tushishvili became champion, however since then, the wins have all been in favour of Tasoev. Has Tushishvili found the answer? We’ll find out soon!
For bronze, we will see Rakhimov take on 2018 World silver medallist, Ushangi KOKAURI (AZE), for the bronze medal and in the second fight, Tamerlan BASHAEV will face the current World Champion, Kim.
It wasn’t so strong for the European +78kg women, with final places taken by Republic of Korea and Japan, however there is a guaranteed bronze medal. The 2022 World Champion, Romane DICKO (FRA) will take on ‘newbie’ to the category, Emma-Melis AKTAS (EST) who took a Cadet World medal in 2024. It has been an incredible day for her and certainly one to remember. This is the second time Estonia have had an athlete fighting in the final block in this event.
Marit KAMPS (NED) will fight for her first senior world medal, but is an experienced junior, taking world bronze in 2019 and then the title in 2021. She has since established herself as a senior athlete and medalled in both the Baku and Tbilisi Grand Slam in 2025.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen