Paris Grand Slam bronze medallist Ts.Tsogtbaatar struck U73kg gold as the young Mongolian defeated Dusseldorf Grand Slam bronze medallist Ferdinand Karapetian of Armenia. Ts.Tsogtbaatar became the youngest ever Grand Slam winner for Mongolia. He turned 22 on Friday and gave himself a hell of a birthday present.

Two-time Junior world silver medallist Ts.Tsogtbaatar, had his breakthrough moment, his first IJF World Judo Tour win, with a battling display as Mongolia excelled on day one. Rio 2016 Olympian at two weight categories below, former U60kg hopeful Ts.Tsogtbaatar won the first clash between him and Karapetian in golden score by a waza-ari. Karapetian was the first Armenian male finalist at a Grand Slam since 2012.

Judoka often switch categories and especially at this period before Olympic qualification begins but it is unheard for an athlete to jump up two weight categories. On today’s evidence both judoka look set for a major impact on the U73kg stakes in the upcoming Olympic qualification phase which begins in May.

In the first semi-final Ts.Tsogtbaatar strolled past The Hague Grand Prix silver medallist Victor Scvortov (UAE) by scoring twice with his seoi-nage which earned a waza-ari on both occasions.