Anna-Monta Olek strikes gold in Baku

The -78 kg category at the Grand Slam in Baku has often seen domination from German judoka in recent years. Anna-Maria Wagner was undoubtedly the most emblematic representative from across the Rhine river, but in her absence, Germany can also count on Alina Boehm, eight grand slam medals but no gold, or Anna Monta Olek, 4 grand slam medals, including one gold.

It was therefore without great surprise that we found the two judoka in the final, after fast victories in the preliminary phases. In the semi-final, Boehm defeated Lieke Derks (NED), while Olek eliminated Yuliia Kurchenko (UKR).

It's never easy to compete against a teammate, especially when the supremacy of the category in your own country is at stake. A first shido was awarded to Olek for passivity in the first half of the contest. With less than a minute to go, Olek was penalised again but was then  close to scoring; time for golden score. At the beginning of extra time, Boehm received one penalty just before she was thrown for a yuko with a subtle de-ashi-harai. Germany wins both gold and silver! 

The first bronze medal contest saw Elisavet Teltsidou (GRE), in her first appearance at -78 kg, face Yuliia Kurchenko (UKR), who was trying to get a fourth grand slam medal. After a few penalties, the contest really started with Teltsidou scoring a first yuko. It didn't take long for the Greek judoka to engage a second hip movement, this time catapulting Kurchenko on to her back with force, speed and control, a clear ippon for a bronze medal. 

2015 world champion Mami Umeki (JPN) had to settle for a chance to win a bronze medal only, against Lieke Derks (NED). A first ippon-ko-uchi-gari from Derks sent Umeki to the floor for a waza-ari. Then the Japanese judoka concluded there with an armlock for ippon, destroying Derks' dream of a medal.