Final: Ariane Toro Soler (ESP) vs Uta Abe (JPN).
This final was a battle for sleeve control from the very first exchange. Toro Soler knew what was needed but, of course, doing it is another matter altogether against such a competitor.
As full time approached Toro Soler was down to penalties to one but the gripping remained fierce. Abe tried to attack but Toro Soler had solutions, coming close to throwing with an o-uchi-gari when Abe came over the top, for example. This led to an equalising penalty and almost a fresh start for the pair.
It wasn’t until 7 and a half minutes of contest time had passed that Toro Soler conceded the third penalty. This was a thrilling contest, much closer than Uta Abe might have liked, but she did what needed to be done and exited the arena with her sixth world title.
After the final, Uta Abe explained, “I knew I had to be more aggressive, to attack, keep moving forward and impose my judo. That was the key to getting the victory I wanted. Competing here in Azerbaijan is always special because I feel so much support, whether at a grand slam or at the world championships. That support gives me a lot of strength.
When I won my first titles, I was younger and everything felt new. Today, I have much more experience and I have learnt a lot along the way. Of course, that changes the way I approach competition. There are moments when doubts or questions can enter my mind but the goal is to clear those thoughts away, trust myself completely and return to my very best level, where I know I can dominate. I want to keep winning, keep pushing myself and continue making history. My goal is to win at least ten world titles.”
Bronze medal contest, Uranzaya Bayanmunkh (MGL) vs Ayumi Leiva Sanchez (ESP).
Both competitors arrived with positive spirit, hopeful and committed. However, the tone changed fast as Bayanmunkh made a catastrophic mistake, attacking Leiva Sanchez with a poorly prepared sutemi-waza. Ayumi Leiva Sanchez was more than ready and slipped past her opponent’s knees to secure a concrete kesa-gatame.
The first bronze medal of day two in Baku was assigned no sooner than the final block had begun. An emotional Ayumi Leiva Sanchez left the tatami knowing her name would be in judo’s history books forever.
A tomoe-nage attempt from Giuffrida was followed immediately by tani-otoshi attempt from Ballhaus. Both judoka was happy to make a first statement: they arrived ready to throw for a place on the podium.
Bronze medal contest, Mascha Ballhaus (GER) vs Odette Giuffrida (ITA).
Ballhaus worked hard to close the space while Giuffrida used that effort against her and as she stepped forward swept the front foot. Giuffrida had the first score, a yuko, a reward for a well-timed de-ashi-harai. The Italian champion continued on to the ground, keeping her original lapel grip and wrapping it around Ballhaus’s neck. The submission took some time but it came.
Odette Giuffrida has won 3 world championship medals from the last 4 editions. This 31-year-old is still in excellent form; a great performance in Baku and an inspirational career.
Final (-52 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-52 kg)
