A wazi-ari off a tani-otoshi was all that was needed for Tatalashvili as he beat his teammate to get his country's medal tally up and running.

Russia extended their lead atop the overall medal table when Düsseldorf Grand Prix bronze medallist Musa Mogushkov secured another bronze with an ippon after three minutes against Ukraine's Jeju Grand Prix winner Serhiy Drebo.

Georgia's Zebeda Rekhviashvili joined his teammates on the podium after his 90 second ippon victory over Victor Scvortov of the United Arab Emirates helped him to the second bronze medal and a third medal for the hosts in the under 73kg category.

Avtandili Tchrikishvili added Georgia's second gold medal of the day with a dominant performance in the men's under 81kg category ©IJF



European champion Avtandili Tchrikishvili added Georgia's second gold medal of the day with a dominant performance in the men's under 81kg category.

The world number one took no time at all to dispatch America's Düsseldorf Grand Prix winner Travis Stevens as he countered an ura-nage attempt for ippon after just 90 seconds.

There was yet more delight for the hosts in the first bronze medal match where Junior World Team Championships gold medallist Ushangi Margiani got the better of Azerbaijan's Mammadali Mehdiyev.

The second bronze medal was captured by Israeli Championships silver medallist Asaf Chen after teammate Amir Ghasemi Nejad could not compete due to injury.

There was a shock in the opening contest of the day where Italy's European silver medallist Edwige Gwend won her first Grand Prix gold medal at the expense of Israeli world champion Yarden Gerbi in the women's under 63kg category.

The first bronze medal match was over in a flash after Russia's former Junior European Championships bronze medallist Pari Surakatova dispatched of America's world number 11  Hannah Martin after just 15 seconds.

Slovenia's Almaty Grand Prix bronze medallist Nina Milosevic benefited from the inactivity of her opponent and World Military Championships bronze medallist Andreja Dakovic, of Croatia, who received four shido penalties for passivity to receive hansoku-make.

Croatia's Barbara Matic secured her first Judo Grand Prix title with victory in the women's under 70kg category ©IJF



There was better luck for Croatia's Junior world champion Barbara Matic in the women's under 70kg event as she secured her first Grand Prix gold medal with victory against Russia's Qingdao Grand Prix bronze medallist Ekaterina Denisenkova.

The first bronze medal was claimed by Russia's Irina Gazieva by ippon after 87 seconds against Italy's Junior European Championships bronze medallist Valeria Ferrari.

The second bronze medal was destined for in-form Israel as Lior Wildikan thwarted 20-year-old compatriot Yarden Mayersohn after the youngster received four shido penalties for hansoku-make.

Action is due to continue in the Tbisili Grand Prix tomorrow where the final set of weight categories battle it out at the Tbilisi Sports Palace for their chance to secure an invaluable gold medal.

Watch the latest action on Judo TV here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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