The -81 kg final block featured a strong and diverse line-up, perfectly reflecting the intensity of the earlier rounds. Akhmed Turluev (IJF), who showed sharp control and precision throughout the preliminaries, earned his place in the gold medal contest against Haru Akita (JPN), whose technical mastery had carried him through the lower half of the draw.
Final, Akhmed Turluev (IJF) vs Haru Akita (JPN)
The bronze medal contests also promised high-level judo, with Samariddin Muxibiddinov (UZB) facing Joshua De Lange (NED), and an all-Serbian clash between Dusan Grahovac and Mihajlo Simin. With such a balance between raw power and refined skill, the -81 kg final block was set to close the day in style.
Junior world champion, Haru Akita (JPN)
In the final the contest began at a measured pace before Turluev seized the advantage with what seemed to be a well-timed seoi-otoshi, but after video review, the score was annulled. What followed was a gripping duel, Turluev’s power against Akita’s technique. With less than a minute to go, Turluev narrowly escaped a dangerous stranglehold from the Japanese judoka, surviving by sheer willpower. In golden score, Haru Akita finally found the opening he had been searching for, using a perfectly executed ko-soto-gari to score a decisive yuko, sealing Japan’s fifth gold medal of the tournament.
Bronze medal contest, Dusan Grahovac (SRB) vs Mihajlo Simin (SRB).
Dusan Grahovac (SRB) vs Mihajlo Simin (SRB)
As expected, the two Serbian teammates knew each other inside out, leading to a tactical and tightly contested bout. It remained deadlocked until the final moments, when Simin surprised Grahovac with a sharp sumi-gaeshi, scoring ippon to claim the bronze.
Bronze medal contest, Samariddin Muxibiddinov (UZB) vs Joshua De Lange (NED).
Samariddin Muxibiddinov (UZB) vs Joshua De Lange (NED)
The contest went the distance into golden score. Muxibiddinov, trailing on penalties, had no room for error but stayed composed. Taking advantage of a brief lapse in concentration from De Lange, he launched a clean yuko-scoring throw, earning a hard-fought bronze for Uzbekistan.