-48kg: Tsunoda Keeps the Fortress Safe / IJF.org

Today was not an easy day for the Japanese women since both Yoshida and Shishime were eliminated quickly, but luckily for her, the 2021 world champion, Natsumi Tsunoda managed to reach the final of the lightest weight division. After a first round bye, she managed to score ippon in her next three matches, spending no more than four and a half minutes on the tatami in total.

To face the Japanese fortress in the final was Narantsetseg Ganbaatar (MGL), already a winner in Antalya this season, while her compatriot, Baasankhuu Bavuudorj, who had performed miracles in Paris (2nd), Tel Aviv (3rd) and Antalya (2nd ), failed this time to get out of the knockout stages.

Medal, cheques and mascots were presented by Dr Laszlo Toth, Vice President of the International Judo Federation and President of the European Judo Union and Ms Munkhbat Urantsetseg, Olympic Bronze Medallist & World Champion

29 seconds were enough to determine the winner as Narantsetseg Ganbaatar applied some tension on Tsunoda's arm that led to a direct disqualification. Of course the public was disapoitned but immediately understand the decision taken by the referee and applauded both judoka, Tsunoda for her gold medal and Ganbaatar for her brilliant competition so far.

Leyla Aliyeva (AZE) and Hyekyeong Lee (KOR) won their tickets to fight for a bronze medal. As the minutes went by, Aliyeva proved to be more and more dangerous, although none of her attacks really seemed to be able to make a significant difference. A flagrant lack of control did not allow her to conclude, either standing or on the ground. It was ultimately this lack of precision that cost Aliyeva the victory, who, on an ill-prepared attack, was countered backwards for ippon and a first grand slam medal for Hyekyeong Lee.

Leyla Aliyeva (AZE) vs Hyekyeong Lee (KOR)

Sabina Giliazova (IJF) and Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ) faced off for the second bronze medal. With Giliazova being right handed and Abuzhakynova left handed, the opposition of style was total, the key being that arm that both athletes wanted to control. After a first shido awarded at the beginning of the match, a second penalty was given to Abuzhakynova for a false attack as she dropped on her back to perform a sutemi-waza, but with no control. During the next sequence, Giliazova tried to throw her opponent with a forbidden technique and for that she was penalised with hansoku-make, offering the first bronze medal in a grand slam for Abuzhakynova.

Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ)

Final

GANBAATAR Narantsetseg (MGL) vs TSUNODA Natsumi (JPN)

Bronze Medal Fights

GILIAZOVA Sabina (IJF) vs ABUZHAKYNOVA Abiba (KAZ)

ALIYEVA Leyla (AZE) vs LEE Hyekyeong (KOR)

Final Results

1. TSUNODA Natsumi (JPN)

2. GANBAATAR Narantsetseg (MGL)

3. LEE Hyekyeong (KOR)

3. ABUZHAKYNOVA Abiba (KAZ)

5. ALIYEVA Leyla (AZE)

5. GILIAZOVA Sabina (IJF)

7. WHITEBOOI Geronay (RSA)

7. VARGAS LEY Mary Dee (CHI)