Despite an impressive pace from both judoka initially, Puljiz couldn’t keep up long term and with 90 seconds to go she was caught with a seoi-otoshi for a yuko. Not long after that, a second seoi-otoshi, with an unorthodox grip, rolled Puljiz on to her back and it was all over. Perisic would be taking the gold medal with her to Serbia. The spectators applauded loudly as Puljiz stepped on to the podium to claim her silver medal, still proud of their girl.
Flaka Loxha (KOS) and Binta Ndiaye (SUI) walked into the arena to fight for bronze, Ndiaye perhaps the favourite. She has been on a great trajectory towards the top level, qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games at just 20 years old and is continuing to clock up impressive wins ever since.
In Zagreb she understood the brief and dealt with Loxha in razor sharp fashion, turning and holding her down for ippon inside the first minute. It was a clinical display; bronze for the Swiss judoka.
The second bronze medal of the last category of the day was to go home with either Nika Tomc (SLO) or Acelya Toprak (GBR); both fought well during the preliminary rounds. In an all-action contest, it was only Tomc managed to find the opportunities to score. She earned one yuko and then another and, under a great deal of pressure from Toprak, held on to her lead right up to the final gong. It was a bronze medal for the Slovenian teenager and a solid fifth place for the Brit.
Final (-57 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-57 kg)
