30 seconds and a perfect read: Asadulloev ends the final in a flash

Dushanbe felt ready for a storybook moment as Muhiddin Asadulloev, the world number two, stepped into the arena with the full weight of a home crowd behind him. His path through the earlier rounds hadn’t been smooth, but by the time the final block arrived, his focus looked locked in.

Across from him was Karen Galstian (RUS), who had impressed in the morning session with sharp, attacking judo. It looked like a matchup that could build into a real battle—if it had time to breathe. Asadulloev didn’t allow that.

One uchi-mata attack was all it took to decide the title.

Just 30 seconds in, Asadulloev adjusted his grip and seemed to anticipate what was coming next. Galstian committed to uchi-mata, but the counter was instant and clean, bringing ippon and ending the final almost before it started. The arena erupted, and the celebration reportedly carried beyond the venue too, with fans gathering around big screens across the city.

Afterwards, Asadulloev said he had been exhausted following the Asian Judo Championships, yet the energy from the crowd in Dushanbe gave him an extra push. He described pushing through the difficulties and delivering gold to his nation at one of the most important events for him.

For European judoka, the bronze medal contests added their own highlights. Danil Lavrentev (RUS) and Ankhzaya Lavjargal (MGL) traded intense efforts in a tight fight, before Lavrentev created just enough space in golden score to land ko-uchi-gari for yuko, securing another Grand Slam medal. Rashid Mammadaliyev (AZE) controlled his bronze match against Ahmadzod Masudi (TJK), scoring early with a fast, low o-uchi-gari for yuko and defending the lead to the end. It marked Mammadaliyev’s fifth Grand Slam medal, and he’s clearly aiming higher in this Olympic cycle as he climbs the ranking again.

Source: JudoInside