Gefen Primo (ISR) began the day as number one seed and she lived up to it perfectly, throwing Asvesta (CYP) with tani-otoshi for ippon and then beat Jung (KOR) and Zhu (CHN) tactically to move into the final without too much stress.
Primo (ISR) vs Zhu (CHN).

Zhu, also among the top seeds, dispatched Van Krevel ahead of throwing Puljiz (CRO), a medallist in both Tiblisi and Antalya in recent weeks) twice having trailed by an early score.

Pimenta (BRA) also obeyed the seeding on her way to the semi-final and ended up in a shido-battle there against Leiva Sanchez (ESP), one that she won. The Spanish judoka was the only person to dislodge a member of the top four ahead of the semi-finals when she countered Iraoui (MAR) on the buzzer and held her immediately to drive the point home.

Larissa Pimenta (BRA).

The first bronze medal contest was bound to be an all-action affair, between Ana Viktorija Puljiz and Ayumi Lieva Sanchez. It was! by the time the last half a minute loomed on the clock there was a waza-ari apiece and 3 penalties between them. The attack rate didn't slow for a single second and a new attack from the Croatian was meet with a beautifully timed counter by the Spanish judoka for ippon and the medal

Leiva Sanchez (ESP) takes the medal.

The second bronze medal contest featured Siderot (POR) and Zhu (CHN). With just over a minute left, having been fairly equal throughout, the Chinese judoka applied a very tight attack and scored waza-ari with sumi-gaeshi. The medal went to Zhu and China.

Zhu (CHN) won bronze.

Gefen and Pimenta faced off for the biggest prize of the day. There was very nearly a score from an uchi-mata by Pimenta at the halfway mark but a slight pause meant it was not counted. Eventually it was Primo who found the right moment to catch Pimenta's foot with an ashi-waza, continuing to the ground to ensure the full ippon victory. Primo takes gold for Israel while Pimenta settles for silver.

Primo (ISR).

Final (-52 kg)

Bronze Medal Fights (-52 kg)

Medals, cheques and flowers were presented by Dr Lisa Allan, IJF Secretary General, and Mr Askhat Seisembek, Director of the Tourism & Sport Industry Support Fund ‘Sport Qory,’ sponsor of the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam 2024.
See also