On the other side of the draw, Kaja Kajzerm Zabkar (SLO) took two ippon wins before a closer contest demanded additional focus but a yuko win over home athlete Iva Oberan earned her a place in the category final.
Final: Jessica Klimkait (CAN) vs Kaja Kajzer Zabkar (SLO)
This began as a classic battle for the sleeve, one that lasted long enough for each competitor to receive a shido; neither was willing to give their sleeve to the other. In the next exchange Klimkait accelerated and made space for a seoi-otoshi many would not have escaped; Kajzer Zabkar did.
The tables then looked to be turning as the Slovenian caught her favourite top grip and broke Klimkait’s posture, but with no attack on the end of it, it offered no real advantage. Klimkait continued to attack and Kajzer Zabkar was given a second shido. This put her in a precarious position meaning she had to come forward. Klimkait capitalised perfectly and with 14 seconds to go she drove herself underneath her opponent and scored a waza-ari with her tokui-waza. This was the winning moment!
After the final Jessica Klimkait said, “It feels really nice to make such a quick comeback after a summer surgery to be back on the podium. I put everything into my rehab to minimise the gap between me and other competitors. My elbow is now working at 100 percent, allowing me to use techniques I had to avoid previously. With other changes in the sport, I feel more freedom to explore.”
Bronze medal contest: Esmigul Kuyulova (KAZ) vs Iva Oberan (CRO)
Hundreds of school children arrived for the final block and this was the contest they came for. Clutching posters and waving lights, they cheered for their home athlete as she entered the arena, letting her know that Zagreb was with her.
It took Oberan just 23mseconds to log an ippon win. She threw Kuyulova with a huge osoto-gari, setting the venue alight.
Bronze medal contest: Anna Kriza (HUN) vs Joanne Van Lieshout (NED)
The 2024 world champion is not who Anna Kriza will have wanted for a bronze medal but you can only fight who stands in front of you. Kriza has been getting stronger and stronger with each passing event and in Zagreb she approached the final block with the same positive attitude as always. The first attack was hers but it yielded no score.
As the first minute passed, Van Lieshout changed the trajectory of the fight and threw for a yuko with a huge hip technique. Just inside the last minute she earned a second yuko, a determined counter against an uchi-mata attempt from Kriza. A third yuko just before the end sealed the deal; Van Lieshout has another WJT medal to add to her collection.
Final (-63 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-63 kg)
Final Results (-63 kg)
