Golden score twist defines -73 kg final as Basile returns to the podium

The -73 kg category in Kazakhstan delivered one of the most gripping stories of the day, with Fabio Basile (ITA) reminding everyone of his class and Danil Lavrentev (RUS) finishing the job when it mattered most.

For Basile, this was a significant return to a World Judo Tour final after several years away from that stage. The 2016 Olympic champion looked sharp throughout the competition, and by the time he stepped onto the tatami for the gold medal contest, there was real weight behind his performance.

Across from him stood Lavrentev, who had arrived in a seeded position and backed it up with a composed run to the final. He had already shown consistency during the day, but the title match asked a different question: could he handle a proven champion in a tight contest?

The answer took time to emerge. Early on, the final was shaped by kumi-kata, with both athletes clearly well prepared for each other’s patterns. Neither man wanted to give away an opening, and the tension built through a battle of grips, positioning and patience.

Just after the halfway mark, Basile found the first breakthrough. He attacked with his trademark o-uchi-gari and scored yuko, taking a lead that looked increasingly valuable as the clock moved on. From there, he appeared fully locked in, managing the match carefully and defending with purpose.

Basile looked close to a long-awaited gold-medal return.

But Lavrentev stayed alive in the contest and kept searching for his moment. Near the end of regular time, he produced his own o-uchi-gari to level the score and send the final into golden score, turning the entire momentum of the match.

That was the turning point. In extra time, a positional mistake from Basile left him exposed, and Lavrentev reacted immediately. He hooked in, completed the throw and scored Ippon to seal the gold medal.

It was a breakthrough result for the Russian judoka, who claimed his first title at this level. For Basile, the silver still carried meaning: after a long period without reaching this stage on the World Judo Tour, he showed he can again challenge deep into an event.

After the final, Lavrentev said he felt amazing to win his first title in Kazakhstan and praised the local support. He also noted that facing an Olympic champion made the victory even more meaningful, especially after taking bronze in Tajikistan the previous week.

The bronze medal contests also brought strong regional interest. Angsarbek Gainullin (KAZ) rose with the home crowd behind him and defeated Vlad Mitru (MDA) after Mitru picked up a third Shido in golden score. In the other bronze medal match, Ankhzaya Lavjargal (MGL) earned yuko against Rashid Mammadaliyev (AZE) and defended it successfully to reach the podium.

For European fans, Basile’s silver was the standout note from Kazakhstan in this weight category. He did not leave with gold, but his run to the final and the way he pushed the eventual champion all the way showed a level that had been missing for some time.

Lavrentev’s first title came only after surviving Basile’s pressure.

In the end, the -73 kg final was decided by tiny margins, one equalising attack and one decisive error. That is often how judo separates silver from gold.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation