Inal Tasoev one size too big for opponents

The heavyweight final at the European Championships on Saturday showcased an explosive clash between two dynamic and acrobatic athletes, Guram Tushishvili of Georgia and Inal Tasoev of Azerbaijan. Tushishvili, the former 2018 world champion, aimed to clinch the European title but settled for silver for the second consecutive year. As the bout commenced, Tasoev, the reigning World Champion, seized control with a strong grip on the belt, prompting Tushishvili to respond with a low o uchi gari attempt. However, Tasoev skillfully countered by lifting his leg and rolling over the technique, demonstrating his exceptional prowess on the mat.

Inal Tasoev's remarkable consistency has been a hallmark of his career trajectory. Since April 2021, spanning 11 tournaments, Tasoev has secured victory in nine competitions, including two European Championships titles, one World Championship, and five Grand Slam triumphs. Despite his selective participation, the 26-year-old continues to lead the world rankings, underscoring his exceptional skill and class. In Zagreb, Tasoev showcased his dominance, facing full regular fighting time only once in four fights, against Marius Fizel of Slovakia, with a total mat time of just 9 minutes and 57 seconds.

Reflecting on his performance, Tasoev expressed his satisfaction with his title win, acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by Guram Tushishvili, the Olympic silver medallist from Tokyo. Their encounter marked the fifth international clash between them, with Tasoev securing victory in four out of five meetings. Looking ahead, Tasoev hinted at potential participation in the upcoming World Championships in Abu Dhabi and the Olympic Games in Paris, emphasizing his focus on one task at a time to sustain his success.

In the +100kg category, Olympic bronze medallist Tamerlan Bashaev of Azerbaijan faced Jur Spijkers of the Netherlands in a hard-fought contest, securing victory with a drop morote seoi nage. Meanwhile, Erik Abramov of Germany navigated through a tough preliminary round, advancing to the bronze medal contest against Marius Fizel of Slovakia. Despite a well-matched bout, Fizel capitalized on an opportunity in ne waza to claim the win.