Arriving as the number one seed in Dushanbe, Piovesana came looking for the confidence and sensations that could allow her to break through the glass ceiling at the next world championships. In the semi-finals, she faced Gankhaich Bold (MGL). Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned and Piovesana lost, leaving Bold to advance to the final.
In the second half of the draw, the performance of Melkia Auchecorne (FRA) was of interest. The two-time junior world champion is gradually making her mark in the senior category. Third in Paris in February but unranked in Tashkent, she had the chance to do better in Dushanbe. She qualified for the semi-final against Japanese judoka Seiko Watanabe, whom she defeated.
The final therefore pitted Gankhaich Bold (MGL) against Melkia Auchecorne (FRA) and it was a fast final. After less than 30 seconds, Gankhaich Bold exploited a mistake from Auchecorne, who stood behind her after the initial attack. Bold threw her with a seoi-otoshi for ippon and a gold medal for Mongolia.
Nina Simic (CRO) and Seiko Watanabe (JPN) fought for a bronze medal. Watanabe was quickly to action, scoring a waza-ari with a circling uchi-mata and concluded a little later as she pinned her opponent to take the bronze medal.
For Lubjana Piovesana (AUT), there was still a chance to save her tournament by beating Iva Oberan (CRO) for the second bronze medal of the category. The task was not going to be easy. There were quickly two penalties apiece as the contest unfolded leaving no other choice for both athletes than to fight hard.
With less than a minute to go, Piovesana took the lead with a ko-soto-gari for a yuko and confirmed her leadership with a ko-uchi-gari for waza-ari this time. Was is over? Not yet, as the Austrian judoka added one more score, this time ippon, with a beautiful seoi-otoshi, using Oberan's push to roll her on her back. Lubjana Piovesana, gold medallist here last year, came to repeat her feat but she has to settle for the bronze, which is not a bad result in the end.
Final (-63 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-63 kg)
