Gyertyas’ physicality was difficult for Oi to manage. She wanted to protect the distance between them but the Hungarian was committed to avoiding that scenario and continued to pull her in. At just over 2 minutes to go, Oi warned Gyertyas what would happen if the space between them did widen, scoring a yuko with a tiny ko-uchi-gari. That remained the only score of the contest and so it was gold for Iroha Oi and silver for Roza Gyertyas.
Gabriela Conceicao (BRA) faced Alyssia Poulange (FRA) for the first bronze medal of the second women’s category of the day. Poulange came out with a strong top grip, right from the get-go, but Conceicao was ready and scored a yuko with a ko-soto-gari in the opening exchange.
Poulange gave everything to get the score back but Conceicao was unwilling to concede a single point. That opening score in the first 12 seconds cost France a medal but the Brazilian team could celebrate their first of this grand prix.
Ayumi Leiva Sanchez (ESP) is no stranger to the demands of the final block but for Tatum Keen (GBR) this was her debut at this stage of a World Judo Tour event. The second bronze medal and its associated world ranking points are important markers, especially as the Olympic qualification period approaches.
It is telling that throughout normal time, despite there being no positive score on the board, there were also no penalties. This is evidence of a clean and well fought contest, one with sound strategic plans from both sides. There was action aplenty even if without the desired landings.
As they went into golden score though, Leiva Sanchez began to add power to her gripping, getting closer to her opponent, putting Keen under pressure. After six and a half minutes of contest time, the Spanish judoka attacked with a reaching o-soto-otoshi and scored ippon. A look of relief came across her face; the bronze medal was hers.
Final (-52 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-52 kg)
