Tournament Overview
The competition in the -81kg category at the Baku Grand Slam unfolded largely in alignment with world rankings, with top athletes progressing smoothly through the initial rounds. The major storyline was the continued strong form of François Gauthier-Drapeau (CAN) following his Paris Grand Slam victory. However, the host nation’s contender, Zelim Tckaev (AZE), ultimately secured the gold medal, delivering a significant victory for Azerbaijan.
Key Highlights
1. François Gauthier-Drapeau’s Strong Performance
Coming off a gold in Paris, the Canadian judoka displayed confidence and tactical precision.
His semi-final match against Askerbii Gerbekov (BRN) was a test of endurance, with his decisive o-soto-gari showcasing his aggressive yet calculated approach.
Despite his efforts, he fell short in the final, unable to counter Tckaev’s quick, opportunistic style.
2. Zelim Tckaev’s Home Victory
The Azerbaijani judoka capitalized on his home advantage, displaying resilience in tough matches, particularly against Somon Makhmadbekov in the semis.
His ability to capitalize on his opponent’s movement led to his winning yuko against Gauthier-Drapeau in the final.
His win was a significant morale booster for Azerbaijan ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
3. Surprising Bronze Medalists
Egor Sukhoparov (IJF): Earned his first Grand Slam podium finish by defeating Somon Makhmadbekov, who struggled with penalties in golden score.
Askerbii Gerbekov (BRN): Secured his third Grand Slam bronze in a dramatic fashion, denying Azerbaijan a second medal with a last-second ko-soto-gake against Omar Rajabli.
Tactical and Technical Takeaways
Risk vs. Reward: Gauthier-Drapeau’s aggressive o-soto-gari was a high-risk move that paid off in the semis but wasn’t enough in the final.
Defensive Awareness: Tckaev’s ability to turn his opponent’s attack into an o-soto-gaeshi demonstrated sharp countering instincts.
Golden Score Strategy: Several key matches, including Makhmadbekov vs. Sukhoparov, were decided in golden score, highlighting the importance of endurance and penalty management.
Looking Ahead
François Gauthier-Drapeau remains a serious contender leading into the Olympics, showing consistency at the Grand Slam level.
Zelim Tckaev will carry momentum and confidence into future competitions, making him a key athlete to watch for Azerbaijan.
Makhmadbekov and Rajabli need to refine their strategic approach in high-pressure scenarios to convert strong performances into podium finishes.This tournament demonstrated the increasing depth of competition in the -81kg division, setting the stage for an exciting lead-up to Paris 2024.
This tournament demonstrated the increasing depth of competition in the -81kg division, setting the stage for an exciting lead-up to Paris 2024.
