The season started rather well for Ida Eriksson, who reached the podium in Portugal in January 2023. Her other outings had been more complicated, since she only placed seventh twice (Antalya and Upper Austria). Today Abu Dhabi smiled on her more, since after her victory over the number one seed, she continued her momentum and qualified for the final, the first of her career at this level.
At the bottom of the table, Aoife Coughlan (AUS) had some serious strengths in her game, as did Miriam Butkereit (GER), but both judoka were defeated, paving the way to the final for Madina Taimazova (AIN). In the final, the result was decided by penalties, with Ida Eriksson being penalised three times. The gold medal was for Madina Taimazova.
The first bronze medal contest opposed Anka Pogacnik (SLO) and Hilde Jager (NED). Jager took the lead after having counter-attacked a weak ko-uchi-gari from Pogacnik, earning a waza-ari score! The Dutch judoka concluded on the floor for ippon. This is bronze medal number two for Hilde Jager in a grand slam.
Aoife Caughlan (AUS) and Kelly Petersen Pollard (GBR) were the last two competitors qualified for the final block and the bronze medal went to Australia and Aoife Caughlan, after Petersen Pollard was penalised three times.
Final (-70 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-70 kg)
