Amber Gersjes (NED) was determined to collect her first ever World Judo Tour gold, a prize she has waited a long time for. In her way was Anudari Jamsran, an ambitious teenager with the Dushanbe title to defend. This wouldn’t be easy for either of them.
The contest went to full time with little to report; a fast-paced but uneventful bout. The only separation was a tiny catch by Jasmran inside the last minute which knocked Gersjes on to one hip for a yuko. She couldn’t pull it back and so the gold was heading to Mongolia, Jamsran’s second Dushanbe Grand Slam title in as many years. Gersjes leaves with silver, her first on the World Judo Tour.
After the final, Anudari Jamsran said, "I like to compete in Dushanbe; it is my second grand slam triumph after I won my first gold here last year. It was a tough competition and I am satisfied with the results."
In the first bronze medal contest Wenna Zhuang (CHN) faced seasoned veteran of the circuit Melanie Legoux Clement (FRA). The 33-year-old had all the experience needed to win the medal but it was unlikely to be that easy.
During the first 4 minutes of the contest, Legoux Clement found herself having to dig deep to find the energy to keep up with Zhuang, a fighter who attacked more, attacked faster and defended with ease. As golden score approached the French judoka had two penalties to contend with while Zhuang’s side of the board was clean.
The golden score period continued for more than 5 extra minutes, both athletes looking for the advantage. Eventually Zhuang took the win when Melanie Legoux Clement conceded her third shido.
In the second bronze medal contest Mary Dee Vargas Ley (CHI) was up against Zhuang’s teammate, Xinran Hui (CHN), a formidable character who never gives up, no matter the obstacle.
Almost every second of the contest, close to two minutes, was occupied by an impressive display on the ground from Hui. She transitioned from the first tachi-waza action, relentlessly hunting any version of a win on the ground. She freed a trapped leg, searched for shime-waza and kansetsu-waza but eventually celebrated a submission from an osaekomi position. It was a masterful show, onwards more than worthy of today’s World Judo Tour bronze medal.
Final (-48 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-48 kg)
