Would she be able to defend her title and status? It wasn't long before we could positively answer the question. Léa Beres (FRA) was her last victim, in the semi-final, the Frenchwoman totally suffocated by the power of Carna and her ability to chain intense standing sequences and powerful ground work together.
It still remained for Giulia Carna to complete her junior work by facing Rin Kamiya (JPN) in the final. For the third time today, Japan placed an athlete in the final of these world championships. This already promises something for the following days and for the team tournament.
There was not so much suspense in a final that looked like it could go to another nation perhaps more than the two previous ones, but after a first round of observation, Rin Kamiya suddenly disappeared under the defending world champion and with a fast sode-tsuri-komi-goshi sent the Italian judoka flat on her back for ippon. There was already a third gold for Japan.
Another Italian had the chance to win a medal, since Micaela Sciacovelli (ITA) was opposed by Luciana Catana (ROU) to reach the podium and once again Italy came out on top, after Catana received a third shido. This bronze medal was for Micaela Sciacovelli.
Lea Beres (FRA), who had done the hardest part by reaching the semi-finals, where she lost to Carna, after a lacklustre performance by the French delegation in the other categories, will undoubtedly have regrets. However, she still had the chance of a medal against Carina Klaus-Sternwieser (AUT). The French judoka did not let her chance slip away. She controlled the contest perfectly and scored a first waza-ari with a seoi-otoshi, before confirming it with a second score from a counter-attack. It was the first bronze medal for the French delegation.
Final (-52 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-52 kg)
Final Results (-52 kg)
