Cedric Revol joins top candidates for lightweight position at Paris Games

Cedric Revol definitely scored important points in Abu Dhabi winning the gold medal at the Grand Slam. This gold medal means a lot to Revol. France now has three judoka in the top 18 of the category. Only one of them can go to the Games. Will it be Luka Mkheidze, bronze medallist in Tokyo two years ago? Will it be Romain Valadier-Picard, winner in Linz earlier this year? Or will it be Cédric Revol, the winner in Abu Dhabi. In his fourth participation Revol took a third medal, this time gold.

It is rare enough to mention that normal time was free from any penalty as both competitors were active but neither of them could score. A few seconds into golden score, Matheus Takaki was already on the floor with Revol still standing. Repositioning himself, the French judoka then launched a sumi-gaeshi that was awarded a waza-ari.

Since his world title, obtained in Doha this year, Francisco Garrigos (ESP) has been looking for a second wind. He therefore returned to Baku in September but had to settle for seventh place only, far from his potential. In Abu Dhabi, we found a more incisive and precise Garrigos but it was still not enough to overcome the obstacle of Ayub Bliev (AIN) in the quarter-final.

The latter, in the semi-final, was opposed by Matheus Takaki (BRA), who took the upper hand to join Cédric Revol (FRA) in the final. Already a finalist twice this season on the World Judo Tour and bronze medallist in Portugal at the very start of the season, the Frenchman demonstrated consistency close to perfection throughout the year, even if he missed out at his world championships. In Abu Dhabi we found him again in the final after well-conducted elimination phases.

World champion, Garrigos recovered from his defeat and qualified for the first match for a bronze medal, against Tornike Tsjakadoea (NED). With a head-to-head of 4:2 in favour of Tsjakadoea, Garrigos seemed to have some difficulties with his opponent. As both athletes went to the floor though, Garrigos turned Tsjakadoea over cleverly to pin him down for ippon. It was not the medal he expected, but Francisco Garrigos will probably be happy tonight with this bronze medal around his neck.

For the second match for a bronze medal, Kamoliddin Bakhtiyorov (UZB) and Ayub Bliev (AIN) qualified. With three shido against his name, Bakhtiyorov offered the victory and the medal to Bliev, his first medal at this level.