The bronze medal contests, Tamar Malca (ISR) vs Alexia Nascimento (BRA) and Catarina Costa (POR) vs Konul Aliyeva (AZE), promised their own blend of technical mastery and determination, rounding out a memorable opening day in Lima.
Final
Coralie Gilly (FRA) vs Mary Dee Vargas Ley (CHI)
In just five seconds, Mary Dee Vargas Ley took control of the final with a sharp o-uchi-gari, scoring yuko. As time ticked away, the Chilean judoka seemed fully in command until Gilly found a narrow opening to counter with tani-otoshi, levelling the scoreline and sending the contest into golden score. The tension was palpable; Vargas Ley blocked a strong attack, pivoted perfectly and executed another o-uchi-gari for waza-ari. It was an historic moment: Chile’s first-ever grand prix gold medal. After her narrow miss in China, this time Vargas Ley was flawless, focused and determined.
Bronze Medal Contests
Catarina Costa (POR) vs Konul Aliyeva (AZE)
Catarina Costa was unable to find a solution against the resilient Azerbaijani. Aliyeva scored a decisive waza-ari with a counter, te-waza, after Costa’s missed ko-uchi-gari, then expertly controlled the remainder of the fight to secure bronze.
Tamar Malca (ISR) vs Alexia Nascimento (BRA)
The contest extended into golden score with Malca already burdened by two penalties against one for Nascimento. As the Brazilian seemed to take the upper hand, Malca produced a brilliant inverted seoi-otoshi, scoring yuko and sealing her first grand prix medal, also the first for Israel in Lima.
Final (-48 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-48 kg)
