It took 2 extra times and the Tameshiwari (breaking test) to know the 12th World Open champion in Kyokushinkai history. Japan's Mikio Ueda dominated Russia's Aleksandr Eremenko in Tokyo on Sunday in the World Open Tournament final. A 12th edition marked by an excellent general level and the ultra-domination of Russians and Japanese (14 out of 16 in top 16).
By Ludovic Mauchien / Photo : DR
Ueda World champion
It had been 16 years since Japan had won it. The affront is washed thanks to Mikio Ueda, 6th in 2015. No Russian resisted him. Ekimov, Kovalenko, Luzin and finally Eremenko have been dominated by the Japanese.
- Ueda (Jap)
- Eremenko (Rus)
- Luzin (Rus)
What a final !
Mikio Ueda (24, 1.87 m, 102 kg) vs Aleksandr Eremenko (31, 1.80 m, 92 kg). Two styles, two different schools .... Two overtimes. Yes ! The final of this 12th World Open has been at the end of the end of suspense. Moreover, the 2 overtimes were not enough to decide the winner. It was therefore necessary to look to the number of boards broken during the Tameshiwari to designate the winner. It will be Mikio Ueda. Eremenko missed the mark during the first part of the fight, where he slightly took the lead but could not materialize.
½ final on the balance
The 1/2 final between Eremenko and Takahashi resulted in a clash of titans for 3 minutes. Tie, overtime, tie, 2nd overtime, tie. The winner should be the best at Tameshiwari... Tie (17 broken boards each). It must therefore be decided on the balance. 92 kg against... 95. Eremenko goes to the final.
A special mention
He is only 20 years old but made his mark on this 12th edition. Russia’s Igor Zagainov (1.95 m, 98 kg), beaten in the ¼ final by Eremenko, set the stage for the next edition. He put 2 top seed fighters KO with Ushiro and Mawashi, Japan’s Takahashi (not the ½ finalist, another) and, above all, Shohei Kamada, one of the big favorites. It promises for 2023 with Andrei Luzin, 23 years old, Mikio Ueda, 24 years old...
The young Lion of Brazil
With his 2.10 m and 145 kg, he was the biggest and heaviest of the tournament. Brazil's Icaro Conceiçao Do Nascimento, 20, was awarded the Young Lion Award, for the Best Young. Really impressive physically, his technique is yet to perfect.
Filho and Kostov referees
Former World champions Francisco Filho of Brazil, winner of the World Open in 1999, and Bulgaria’s Emil Kostov, were once again enjoying a final. They both officiated as referees.
Navarro in the Top 32
Spain’s Alejandro Navarro reached the Top 32 but was beaten in his 1st fight of the last day by the future ½ finalist, Japan’s Takahashi.
Results
Top 16
Zagainov (Rus) b. Kamada (Jap)
Eremenko (Rus) b. Tusseau (Fra)
Takahashi (Jap) b. Guliaev (Rus)
Hoshi (Jap) b. Higuchi (Jap)
Arata (Jap) b. Kaga (Jap)
Luzin (Rus) b. Nishimura (Jap)
Kovalenko (Rus) b. Ashot (Isr)
Ueda (Jap) b. Ekimov (Rus)
Top 8
Eremenko b. Zagainov
Takahashi b. Hoshi
Luzin b. Arata
Ueda b. Kovalenko
Semi-finals
Eremenko (1,80 m, 92 kg) b. Takahashi (1,80 m, 95 kg)
Ueda (1,87 m, 102 kg) b. Luzin (1,87 m, 84 kg)
Final
Ueda b. Eremenko, broken planks
Ranking
- Ueda (Jap)
- Eremenko (Rus)
- Luzin (Rus)
- Takahashi (Jap)
- Kovalenko (Rus)
- Hoshi (Jap)
- Zagainov (Rus)
- Arata (Jap)
