It turned out to be one opponent too many for the Portuguese champion. Sampaio threw first with a sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi for a yuko but Ikeda responded with her own yuko, delivered in the form of a sumi-gaeshi. She continued on the floor, using her advantage to turn and hold Sampaio for ippon and a place on the top step of the rostrum.
The first bronze medal contest was set up between Shu Huei Hsu Wang (TPE) and Mami Umeki (JPN); Both judoka hunted for the all-important ippon but it was Umeki who found one first, holding Wang down to ensure she would step on to the podium.
Inbar Lanir (ISR) came out strongly, in her usual style, against Mao Izumi (JPN). She scored a yuko with a semi-gaeshi but it was a short-lived lead as Izumi equalised. Lanir’s response? To throw again, this time a counter for waza-ari. Izumi took over again in the very next exchange and threw for her own second yuko but she transitioned straight into osaekomi and held for ippon. It was a great display of ippon judo mentality from both athletes, one to replay often especially in front of young judoka.
Final (-78 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-78 kg)
Final Results (-78 kg)
