Momo Tamaoki (JPN) and Faiza Mokdar (FRA) delivered a day of excellent judo, both seeded, both committed to their cause and both reaching the final virtually unscathed. Mokdar’s only real battle was against Nascimento (BRA) but a seoi-otoshi just into the 7th minute of contest time gave her the yuko she needed, sending the Brazilian into a battle for bronze.
Mokdar (FRA) throws Nascimento (BRA) in the quarter-final.

Maysa Pardayeva, Turkmenistan’s starlet was in the draw as the number 2 seed, a ranking which carried some expectation. However, on this occasion she could not live up to it and was thrown for a waza-ari by Juhee Kim (KOR) having led by a yuko for much of the contest. She was out! Kim went right through to the semi-final but there she lost to Mokdar and had to settle for a bronze medal contest instead of one for gold.

Juhee Kim (KOR) controlled Galitskaia (IJF) in their quarter-final.

Pauline Starke (GER), 4th seed in the group, had an uneventful morning session, winning and losing fights but she made it to a bronze medal contest after a win against Tao (CHN) by ippon in the repechage. Her claim to the bronze would depend on Kim.

Starke (GER) vs Zueva (IJF) in the quarter-final stages.

Kim was no match for her though. Starke turned and held her in ne-waza for the victory. It was a bronze medal for Starke, her 5th grand slam medal to date.

Bronze medal contest, Pauline Starke (GER) vs Juhee Kim (KOR)

The second bronze medal contest featured current continental champion Shirlen Nascimento (BRA) and Irina Zueva (IJF). The former had looked incredibly determined throughout the day and that attitude prevailed even after her loss.

Bronze medal contest, Shirlen Nascimento (BRA) vs Irina Zueva (IJF)

She threw Zueva with an astounding ashi-waza for ippon, absolutely among the throws of the day. Shirlen Nascimento had earned a fantastic bronze medal.

Final, Momo Tamaoki (JPN) vs Faiza Mokdar (FRA)

In the final Faiza Mokdar, in her usual energetic style, took the fight straight to Tamaoki. Within the first 70 seconds she registered a waza-ari, rolling underneath Tamaoki with a super-fast seoi-otoshi. The Japanese judoka worked hard to get the score back but it was impossible; Mokdar was well rehearsed in every area, even managing to escape a pin in the last 30 seconds. She knew how to escape everything in Tamaoki’s arsenal; it was a masterful performance.

Medals, cheques and flowers were presented by Mr Almaz Alsenov, CEO of Harvest Group, Partner of the International Judo Federation, and Mr Ali Khamkhoyev, Vice President of Kazakhstan Judo Federation

Final (-57 kg)

Bronze Medal Fights (-57 kg)

See also