Kim Ji-Su on form claiming second Grand Slam in a year

Miku Takaichi (JPN) is what we call a big name in world judo. In the semi-final, Takaichi found Jisu Kim (KOR), who defeated pool B favourite Lucy Renshall (GBR). That should have been a sign demonstrating Kim's good condition. In the semi-final she proved to be a very strong competitor against Takaichi. After a first ippon in favour of the Japanese judoka which was then cancelled, it was the Korean athlete who managed to throw for ippon with a superb seoi-otoshi that surprised everyone, including her. The final opposed Dali Liluashvili and Jisu Kim.

Liluashvili was the first to pick up a penalty, followed by a second during the first half of the final, putting a lot of pressure on her shoulders. The third shido was then given but this time to Kim. The contest then entered into a well balanced confrontation where none of the athletes could find a proper way to throw. As golden score was opening its doors, Liluashvili was penalised a third time, offering the gold medal to Jisu Kim. She was not the favourite of the competition but she made the best of it.

The first bronze medal contest opposed Magdalena Krssakova (AUT) and Miku Takaichi (JPN). Takaichi took a fast lead with a ko-soto-gake for waza-ari after only a few seconds and it was not long before the second technique arrived. It was uchi-mata this time and it deserved an ippon. This is medal number 15 for Miku Takaichi in grand slam tournaments.

The second bronze medal contest saw Iva Oberan and Katarina Kristo, both from Croatia, facing off for a place on the podium. It was with nice timing, a clean entry and a strong finish in the form of seoi-otoshi, that Katarina Kristo increased her chance  for victory, earning a waza-ari. Iva Oberan was then also penalised three times and so the medal went to Kristo, who gave a big hug to her opponent-teammate once the contest was over.

At the top of the draw, we once again expected a lot from Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard (CAN). Second in Baku in February, winner last week in Tbilisi, Antalya was to mark a new stage in the journey of this athlete, who builds her victories conscientiously and with a lot of skilful opportunism both standing and on the ground.

In the quarter-final, Beauchemin-Pinard found Katarina Kristo (CRO) and suffered the blow, unable to really impose her rhythm, being penalised three times. She still had a chance in the repechage but unfortunately could not transform it into a victory, losing to Magdalena Krssakova (AUT).