The all-Japanese final between Kisumi Omori and Kokoro Fujishiro delivered a tough gripping battle combined with a display of varied and dangerous ne-waza. Both came close to scoring on the ground but in tachi-waza they could not be separated at all. It took more than 8 minutes of fighting for Omori to come out on top, winning her 3rd grand slam gold. It was a tactical win between two skilled judoka.
The first bronze medal contest saw Ayumi Leiva Sanchez (ESP) face Sofia Asvesta (CYP), both of whom had given electric performances through the morning session. For the first 2 and a half minutes there was really nothing between them but then Leiva Sanchez took a deep cross grip over the back and applied a strong o-uchi-gari which, although not fast, offered no chance for escape. It scored ippon and gave Spain their first medal of this Paris Grand Slam.
In the second bronze medal contest of the -52 kg category, Khorloodoi Bishrelt (UAE) and Distria Krasniqi (KOS) faced off. The -48 kg Olympic champion in Tokyo and Olympic silver medallist at -52 kg last year, Krasniqi, won the fight by capitalising on a poorly prepared seoi-otoshi from Bishrelt, pulling her back for a clean landing on the back. Krasniqi didn’t look happy with the overall result of the day but could be satisfied with still reaching the podium.
Final (-52 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-52 kg)
