Gasimov was widely regarded as one of the hosts’ best chances of topping the podium but he could not overcome a determined Bisultanov, who managed to silence the crowd by securing the title.

Jorge Fonseca of Portugal clinched his first bronze medal with victory over Azerbaijan’s Elkhan Mammadov and he was joined on the podium by Egypt’s Ramadan Darwish, who beat Ryunosuke Haga of Japan.

The men’s under 90kg division yielded a second Grand Slam gold for Japan’s Mashu Baker, who got the better of Samsun Grand Prix winner Noel Van 'T End with a superb display.

“This is the second time I have won a Grand Slam gold medal and I want to stay at this level,” he said.

“I won all my fights by ippon before the final which is important to me.

“Now my goal is to be seeded for the World Championships this year after being officially selected for the competition.”

Italy’s Walter Facente edged out Germany’s Aaron Hildebrand for the first available bronze before Joakim Dvarby of Sweden beat Serbia’s Aleksandar Kukolj.

It also proved to be a hugely successful day for Hungarian Barna Bor, who sealed his first-ever Grand Slam title with a hard-fought victory against Dutchman Roy Meyer in the over 100kg category. 

The world number eight is considered to be one of the rising stars in the sport and his win further cements his potential on the global stage.

Russia’s Andrey Volkov proved too strong for Ukraine's Oleksandr Gordiienko in their bronze medal match-up and Georgia's Levani Matiashvili denied Russia another medal as he ousted Aslan Kambiev.

In the women’s under 78kg, Dutchwoman Guusje Steenhuis elevated her career to new heights with a stunning triumph over London 2012 Olympian Akari Ogota, in which she performed admirably on her way to her first Grand Slam title.

Olympic champion Kayla Harrison of America went into the competition as the clear favourite but she could only manage bronze, while Poland’s Daria Pogorzelec also ensured a third-place finish.

Ukraine sealed their first gold of the event at the Sarhadchi Olympic Sport Centre thanks to Svitlana Iaromka’s victory over Lithuanian Santa Pakenyte in the women’s over 78kg weight division in what was an enthralling final.

Top seed Jasmin Kuelbs of Germany had to settle for bronze, as did Turkey’s Belkis Zehra Kaya.

Watch the latest action on Judo TV here.

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