2024 Dushanbe Junior WC Day 3: Austria, Georgia and Japan strike gold

The third day of Judo’s 2024 Junior World Championships took place today in Dushanbe, Tajikistian.

The crowd poured into the Kasri Tennis Arena to witness the best of the best go for gold.

Azerbaijan’s -100kg Paris Olympic Champion Zelym Kotsoiev thrilled the crowd by attending the tournament to support his younger brother.

But it was a man from Azerbaijan’s neighbour to the north, Georgia, Luka Javakhishvili who claimed victory at -81kg. This huge winding makikomi technique was the decisive moment in the match! Earning the Georgian the junior world title.

Harvest Group Representative Mr Timur Tursumbayev awarded the medals.

“Huge respect to this country, it’s an amazing country. And especially the competitors in the -81kg category, they were amazing and the audience was amazing today. When I heard them supporting their athletes, it made me stronger and drove me to win," said Javakhishvili.

There was more great action for the crowd to enjoy at -70kg.

Elena Dengg left it until deep into golden score to powerfully throw April Lynn Fohouo with O-Uchi-Gari and claim gold for Austria. She was visibly thrilled to be able to call herself the Junior World Champion.

Mr Armen Bagdasarov IJF Head Referee Director was on hand to award the medals.

“I still can’t believe it, I’m so speechless, I don’t know if its because of the fight, because it was so long in Goldenscore or just because all of my emotions are coming up right now. But this was my dream and now I’ve achieved it and now I will be able to hear my National anthem on the podium, I going to be crying I know this," said Dengg.

The defending champion at -90kg, Komei Kawabata, once again showed his class. First throwing Egor Malkin with a stunning standing Seoi-Nage, before showing fantastic groundwork skills to finish the match with a pin.

Olympic Silver Medallist Dr Askhat Zhitkeyev awarded him his second Junior World Gold.

There was also a special awarding by Tajikistan Judo Federation President, Mr Ismoil Mahmadzoir to retiring Tajik judoka Komronshokh Ustopiriyon as the 2-time Asian champion and 11 time world judo tour medalist said goodbye to his fans.