The young Mongolian gave of her best, attacked well and gripped impressively, but it wasn’t enough to match the experience and skill of the Japanese judoka. It took 5 minutes of contest time but when the big throw came, it was decisive! Fujishiro turned in with a massive sode-tsuri-komi-goshi and laid Myagmarsuren out for ippon. It was clear and the crowd applauded both the winner and their silver medallist.
The first bronze medal contest saw Glafira Borisova (IJF) and Astride Gneto (FRA) take to the tatami. Gneto hunted the top right-sided position, aiming to break the posture of her opponent, but Borisova was comfortable to grapple from that starting point and so the judo chess ensued.
Borisova changed tactic and went for the deep grip over the back on the left and this was not well received by the French athlete, who pulled away to get out of trouble. The contest continued to the bell with only penalties on the board and neither judoka could put their hand up for the victory in the first 3 minutes of golden score either but after 3 and a half minutes of extra time, Gneto hooked in with an o-uchi-uchi-mata combination which was instantly and superbly countered for ippon.
In the second bronze medal contest, Yao Yuhong (CHN), appearing internationally for only the second time, took on Uranzaya Bayanmunkh (MGL) and the home crowd! Yuhong was off the mark quickly though, ignoring any perceived pressure that may have been present from fighting against a host nation athlete. She threw for a yuko with osoto-gaeshi and came close to securing the osage-komi too. That solitary score was enough to secure the medal, despite some fierce gripping exchanges and a great deal of effort from Bayanmunkh to equalise. This is Yuhong’s first medal on the IJF World Judo Tour.
Final (-52 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-52 kg)
