Cuba Judo once again demonstrated its power placing third among countries in the medals race, in the World Judo Championship, held in the Russian city of Cheliabinsk, thanks to one gold, one silver and two bronze medals, just behind Japan (4-2-3) and France (2-1-4).

Idalys Ortiz (+78 kg) revalidated her title, while the young José Armenteros (100kg) surprised everyone by winning a silver medal. Ortiz defeated Altheman by one point (ippon) in one minute 11 seconds, a match she fought in the final of the 2013 World Judo Championship in Río de Janeiro. Also taking their places on the podium were Emilie Andéol, from France and Japanese Megumi Tashimoto, who shared the bronze, according to Prensa Latina.

Ortiz, currently ranked number one in the world and Olympic champion in London 2012, had no problem reconfirming her world title. To win the gold, she secured a bye in the first preliminary round winning four bouts by ippon. She defeated Turkish Gulsah Kocatork, followed by German Jasmin Kuelbs and Emile Andeol from France in the semifinals.

Other Cuban medalists were María Celia Laborde (48kg) and Onix Cortés (70kg), while Dayaris Mestre (48 kg) and Yanet Bermoy (52 kg) both took fifth place in their respective divisions, with Yalennis Castillo (78kg) placing seventh.

José Armenteros couldn’t escape Lukas Krpalek’s submission, who won the match by ippon and also his first World Championship gold medal. Armenteros, Youth Judo World Champion in South Africa 2011, prevailed in his qualifying group with three wins – all by ippon – including against 2013 World Judo Champion Elkhan Mammadov from Azerbaijan. In the semifinals he defeated Iván Remarenko, from the United Arab Emirates, losing the fight for the title against Krpalek, bronze medalist in the 2011 and 2013 World Championships.

August 30, the last day of the individual competition, Oscar Brayson (+100kg) fought for Cuba, but was defeated by wazari (half a point) in his second bout against Japanese Ryu Shichinohe, having to settle for second place. Winner of the 100kg division was Frenchman Teddy Riner, securing his sixth World Championship gold. Bronze medals were won by Russian Renat Saidov and Brazilian Rafael Silva.