Assunta Scutto came into the event as the number one. She didn’t quite uphold the ranking but only fell a short distance, losing her semi-final to Xinran Hui (CHN) and stepping into an all-Italian bronze medal contest against Asia Avanzato. The latter had an almost faultless run, only dropping a single yuko against Giliazova (IJF) in the quarter-final, enough to stop her progressing towards the top step.
It was Hui who had taken Natasha Ferreira (BRA) off course in the hunt for the gold medal, Ferreira being among the top four seeds at the beginning of the day. The Brazilian dealt with Tamar Malca (ISR) in the repechage to gaurantee herself a long day and a shot at a medal, even if not the gold. It would be Narantsetseg Ganbaatar (MGL), 3rd seed, she would have to climb past for a place on the podium.
Ferreira, the current Panamerica and Oceania champion, arrived in the final block with the attitude of a winner, confident she could employ the right tactics to win but the Mongolian athlete had other ideas and raised the pace from the first ‘hajime!’ Ferreira stayed true to her plan though and fought her fight exactly as she needed to. She countered Ganbaatar for ippon with a minute to go, assuring herself of a medal.
In the second bronze medal contest, Scutto began as the more dominant of the two, attacking more and leading the pace but Avanzato was ready for it, pushing Scutto’s attacks to have little effect. By the halfway point things were much more even, Avanzato making space for her own attacks, though neither athlete could register a score. at the beginning of the golden score period, Assunta Scutto anticipated and countered an o-uchi-gari placing Avanzato on the tatami on her side for a yuko. Either way the medal was heading to Italy but this time it was with Scutto. The pair hugged immediately and gave a heartfelt show of respect and camaraderie.
The final saw Xinran Hui and Sabina Giliazova (IJF) under the spotlights, the former delivering a comprehensive barrage which was impossible for Giliazova to match. A series of seoi-otoshi attacks followed up powerfully on the floor gave Hui the win and a first grand slam gold.
Final (-48 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-48 kg)
