Olympic Champion Natsumi Tsunoda well prepared on new rules

In the final for women U48kg the first to qualify for the final was Natsumi Tsunoda, the reigning Olympic champion. She would face Tara Babulfath, one of the greatest talents in women’s judo.

The first to attack was Tsunoda with her tomoe-nage, which Babulfath seemed to expect and be prepared for. But what could have been accepted during the last Olympic cycle, is no longer the case. The lack of preparation of several attacks caused Tsunoda to be penalised quickly for false attacks, twice. However, two defences to avoid engaging in the contest gave two penalties to Babulfath as well. Particularly powerful with her left arm, the Olympic champion posed a lot of problems for her opponent who ended up being penalised a third time. Tsunoda wins her sixth title at grand slam level. In their rematch at the Baku Grand Slam, she once again defeated the young Swedish player by penalties. Initially Tsunoda was down by two shidos to none. But Babulfath made some mistakes and quickly incurred two shidos of her own. The very experienced Tsunoda then unleashed a string of attacks which led to Babulfath getting her third shido.
Athletes must gradually get up to the pace of a new Olympic cycle because in less than four years, they will have to perform well in Los Angeles. There are also the new refereeing rules to assimilate and understand which is the case for all athletes including the best.
The first bronze medal contest opposed Eva Perez Solder (ESP) and Tugce Beder (TUR), who was pinned down by Babulfath in the semi-final. The result remained undecided during normal time, as it was necessary to wait for the golden score to see Eva Perez Solder overturn her opponent with a change of direction from a circular sumi-gaeshi on the edge of the tatami. The bronze medal was for Spain.
In the second bronze medal contest, Giulia Ghiglione (ITA) faced Andrea Stojadinov (SRB). With less than a minute to go, Stojadinov produced her biggest effort and scored a waza-ari with a seoi-otoshi from the ends of the sleeves that surprised Ghiglione totally. She then just had to control the contest to win the bronze medal.
Athletes must gradually get up to the pace of a new Olympic cycle because in less than four years, they will have to perform well in Los Angeles. There are also the new refereeing rules to assimilate and understand.
Clearly for Tsunoda, this competition is therefore very important. After an observational start to the contest against Mio Huh (KOR), the Japanese very quickly found her automatic rhythm by chaining her powerful tomoe-nage, followed by an unstoppable armlock to pocket a first victory. In the next round she faced Lois Petit (BEL), winner over Sarah Ischt (GER) in the first round. Without any surprise, Tsunoda kept up her momentum and entered the final again. 
Maria Celia Laborde's track record is substantial. A world medallist in 2014, more than ten years ago, she continues to roam the world circuit in search of medals. Unfortunately for the world number 14 and one of the seeded judoka here, Baku will not remain a good memory, since she had to bow out in the first round against Eva Perez Soler (ESP), who then went on to face Andrea Stojadinov (SRB) in the quarter-finals.
In pool C, all eyes were on Tara Babulfath (SWE), already a world and Olympic medallist and who won a beautiful bronze medal at the Paris Grand Slam two weeks ago. Serious and diligent, Babulfath won her first contest against Laziza Haydarova (UZB) by waza-ari. She was ready to meet Giulia Ghiglione in the quarter-finals. Sharp as usual, the Swedish judoka eliminated all her other competitors to face Tsunoda in the final eventually but she had to deal with a silver medal this time. No revenge for Babulfath on her lost semi final in Paris.