Korea delivers another World Junior Champion with Lee Hye-kyeong

Korea delivered another World Junior Champion. Just like in 2013 and 2014, now a young woman Lee Hye-Kyeong captured the world title U44kg. In 2013 Ba-Ul An and in 2014 Chang-Rim An won the world title, An Ba-Ul became World Senior World Champion in Astana, An Chang-Rim won bronze in Astana. A bright future for new world champ Lee.

The first gold medal of the IJF Junior World Championships 2015 was claimed by South Korea as Lee Hye-kyeong defeated Cadet World Championships bronze medallist Igarashi Riko (JPN) in the -44kg final. After a failed yoko-tomoe-nage attempt from Igarashi, Lee was able to unlock the defence of the Japanese fighter for a yuko score which was enough for top spot and Junior World Champions gold.

In the first semi-final Igarashi beat Junior European Championships bronze medallist Sitora Boymatova (RUS) with a stylish display. The 16-year-old Japanese fighter scored two yukos to take control of the contest and held down her rival for 20 seconds and ippon. In the second semi-final Lee overcame former European Youth Olympic Festival winner and Dutch reigning Junior European Championships gold medallist Amber Gersjes by the narrowest of margins. A shido against the Dutch judoka saw her relegated to the repechage.

The first bronze medal was won by 20-year-old Ganbaatar Narantsetseg (MGL) who converted her Asian Championships bronze into global honours in Abu Dhabi at the expense of beaten semi-finalist Gersjes. An explosive tani-otoshi received a yuko and that was difference for the Mongolian. The second bronze medal was awarded to Berlin Junior European Cup bronze medallist Rita Reis from Brazil who was a worthy winner against Boymatova with a second waza-ari from osaekomi-waza sealing her place on the podium.