Yu-Jung Liao (TPE) and Shirinjon Yuldoshova (UZB) stepped up to fight for the second bronze medal of the category. It was an unpredictable contest as neither judoka is now well on the circuit but after today both will be known a little better. This medal would be a first World Judo Tour prize for either judoka.
Liao put the first score on the board, a yuko earned via some nifty footwork. She tried a koshi-guruma in the minute to add to her lead but it didn’t land and then. it was the home athlete’s turn to attack. She gripped, moved and came close to knocking Liao off her feet but defence was possible. With only 20 seconds to go Liao remained in the lead with her single yuko. Yuldoshova tried a makikomi, once, twice but nothing that could turn the tables. Liao could be happy that at her 15th grand slam she could finally make it to the podium. Progress comes to those who work and those with patience!
Rin Maeda (JPN), winner of a bronze medal at the 2024 Tokyo Grand Slam, looked unstoppable from the earliest exchanges of the day. In the final of the -70 kg category she found perhaps an unlikely adversary, a 20-year-old Uzbek competitor who had executed an incredible preliminary session. The crowd were right behind their girl, cheering and drumming and also holding their breath. They knew that on paper it was a tall order but hope can be a powerful ally.
Khurshida Razzokberdieva seemed unfazed by her opponent, gripping without pause or defence. She lasted 2 and half minutes before the inevitable stopped her ascension to the top of the podium. 19-year-old Maeda countered a combination that the Uzbek judoka had applied without adequate kuzushi, with such superb control that only ippon could be scored. Japan had a second gold on the second day, their 5th in total.
Final (-70 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-70 kg)
