It's not that there was a massive difference between Sarikaya and Wandel, both producing powerful judo, but through the first phase of the final, the Dutch competitor seemed always a notch ahead of her opponent, to force her to be penalised twice. It wasn’t enough to win though and so it was time for golden score. Despite some borderline drops during the match that could have been penalised, Wandel was eventually more active than Sarikaya, who received her third penalty; a gold medal for Wandel. It must be underlined that the women’s team of Türkiye, which had three athletes engaged today, took three medals. Maybe the gold is missing but the overall form of the team is amazing.
Enkhbulag Jamiyan (MGL) and Umidakhon Burkhonjonova (UZB) met for the first bronze medal. The match was awarded to Umidakhon Burkhonjonova after Enkhbulag Jamiyan was penalised with hansoku-make for a head-dive, which is totally forbidden, to guarantee the safety of the judoka and so it was bronze for Burkhonjonova.
It was Oses Beorlegui (ESP) and Rebecca Valeriani (ITA) who fought for the second bronze medal. Valeriani scored a waza-ari with a low seoi-nage, that was cancelled by the video refereeing as she did not get the exact landing with a 90 degree angle.
Her second attempt was better and this time she achieved the landing and the waza-ari. With two shido to her name too, things began to get difficult for Beorlegui, who couldn't do anything to prevent Rebecca Valeriani from winning the bronze medal.
Final (-44 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-44 kg)
Final Results (-44 kg)
