Kaori Matsumoto is back on the Top of the Podium

In the final of the Grand Slam of Tokyo Kaori Matsumoto was opposed last summer World silver medallist Telma MONTEIRO of Portugal. A large smile suddenly shined on MATSUMOTO’s face, when she immobilized the Portuguese judoka for ippon, after having perfectly controlled the fight.

After a deceiving World Championships, this summer, where she was eliminated at the first round by Marti Malloy (USA), the current Olympic champion and Japanese idol, MATSUMOTO Kaori was closely watched in Tokyo. Without any major problem, she entered the final after having successively defeated RAHMING Cynthia (BAH), Sabrina FILZMOSER (AUT), Aliuska OJEDA (CUB) and Corina CAPRIORIU (ROU) in the semi-final. 

The first bronze medal fight of the category opposed the two Japanese teammates, YAMAMOTO Anzu (JPN), already winner of two Grand Slam in here career, and YOSHIDA Tsukasa (JPN), whose best result so far was a bronze medal at the World Cup Jeju 2012, event before the competition became a Grand Prix, last year. With her victory against YAMAMOTO Anzu, YOSHIDA Tsukasa definitely adds an important line to her prize list.

In the last bronze medal fight of the day, Corina CAPRIORIU (ROU), silver medallist at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Rafaela SILVA (BRA), 2013 world champion, faced off for the right to step on the podium. For most of the fight, Corina CAPRIORIU (ROU) gave the impression that she was leading and controlling her opponent by penalties (2 to 0) but after misjudging an attack-counter attack moment, SILVA finally took over and threw CAPRIORIU for waza-ari.