In theory, as the number one seed, Leski should have had the mildest draw but Kropska (POL) and Liluashvili (AIN) did not give her an easy ride, the first going to full time, losing by waza-ari from a tsuri-goshi and the second losing via two throws, the final score coming inside the last minute.
Kristo and Oberan are acutely aware of their precarious positions. They are not only competing for the medals on offer in Kazakhstan but for their NOC nomination for the Paris Games. Oberan is 23rd on the Olympic ranking list and sits in the blue zone with a continental quota place but she’s only 15 points ahead of her teammate who is in 24th place. A single round’s difference in Kazakhstan can change everything. They’re on the same side of the draw and reached their semi-final with relative ease. There, Kristo countered Oberan twice to take her place in the final.
In pool B, the anomalous pool, it was Minami Aono, 92nd on the World Ranking List, who came through. She threw Del Toro Carvajal (CUB) for ippon with o-uchi-gari, passed Spanish opposition and was then ready to meet number 4 seed Ketleyn Quadros (BRA) in the quarter-final. However, Quadros didn’t make it, losing out to Dena Pohl in the round of 16.
Aono took full time and 12 seconds to throw Pohl with uchi-mata-makikomi in the quarter-final but her run against the odds stopped there. Leski dominated the semi-final with a robust and committed style, throwing with sumi-gaeshi and then having to suffer a bit under the Japanese judoka’s pressure. It was enough though.
The first bronze medal was to be fought for by Pohl (GER) and Oberan (CRO). At first the Croatian took charge, attacking more often and with greater power than the German but in a strong exchange in which both judoka attempted to take control, Oberan atacked with her head being the first point of contact with the mat and therefore she was disqualified sending the bronze medal Pohl's way. This is Pohl's first grand slam medal, as indicated by her huge smile.
The second bronze medal would travel to either Brazil or Japan, Nauana Silva having had a good day aside from her quarter-final loss to Oberan. Aono took the win in ne-waza, holding Silva down for the full 20 seconds early in the contest.
The final between neighbours was bound to be stressful for the Croatian, keen to lock in maximum points while her teammate is chasing her on to the podium. Leski, however, is secure for the Games and can enjoy fighting well at this sharp end of the season.
Kristo's desire to fight in Paris has been evident all day but it was refined in the final, toned down to align with necessary caution. Leski loves to throw! She would have loved to throw Kristo in Astana but the Croatian managed her fight expertly, taking only just enough initiative to ensure she would avoid the loss. In a very tight contest, a frustrating one for the Slovenian, Kristo won and let out a roar or relief and satisfaction. This might just be her ticket to Paris in the bag.
Final (-63 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-63 kg)
