Venezuelan Anriquelis Barrios has to cross the Atlantic every time she wants to compete on the World Judo Tour. It is not an easy journey, however long, because you have to adapt, and although she spends some time training in Spain, she is far from home. Little by little she has gained consistency and is already number two in the world. In Hungary she took the bronze and in Zagreb she stepped into the final with authority, but was very unlucky. The Venezuelan defeated the Spanish Cristina Cabaña Pérez but she hurt her right knee and had to give up the gold. In exchange, she took the silver! The title, without fighting, but without being demerited, went to the Canadian Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard. Hers was a beautiful road and she will be able to celebrate it tomorrow with a good glass of something, after eliminating the Mongolian Gankhaich Bold and the Brazilian Ketleyn Quadros. Canada listed its second gold in the tournament.
Israeli Gili Sharir failed to add to her country's medal tally at the last three tournaments. The bronze in Zagreb went to Brazil in the hands of Quadros, who greeted Sharir with a waza-ari before the Israeli broke a sweat. Quadros then dedicated herself to temporising, waiting for the right moment to counterattack when Sharir came in. If there was no attack, the Brazilian waited and there was ne-waza. She worked just enough to consume time. It was an appropriate and winning strategy and for the Brazilian it also represented her ninth medal at grand prix level, three of each colour.
The second battle for bronze opposed Bold and Cabaña Pérez. After a first attack that heralded good things, the Spaniard fell into the trap and was cooled down with an explosive ippon from Bold. It was nice, yes, but very short.
Final (-63 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-63 kg)
Final Results (-63 kg)
