These young judoka are ready to take the baton in terms of the French heavyweight tradition of excellence; Celia Cancan and Leonie Minkada-Caquineau, a junior and a cadet respectively. Their style is reflective of lighter categories, upright, dynamic and full of movement. Both young women have an ever-expanding range of techniques and can apply them in combinations. Despite all of this, the fight ended due to penalties, Celia Cancan the victor, but this is not illustrative of the talent these two have.
The first bronze medal contest was a Dutch derby between Carmen Dijkstra and Paulien Sweers and both judoka were committed to the medal-winning opportunity. A close contest with several near misses ended due to penalties, in favour of an emotional Paulien Sweers, a first-timer on a World Judo Tour podium.
The crowd were energised for the second bronze medal contest of the category as Helena Vukovic marched into the arena to represent the host nation. Facing her was tough Italian judoka Asya Tavano, known for her strength and no-nonsense approach. Buoyed by the cheers Vukovic was able to edge the contest, without scores, but leading the pace. She forced Tavano to pick up two penalties but that, in turn, drove the Italian to turn up the heat.
Tavano was the stronger gripper from the point on, finally being able to get her right hand on top to block Vukovic from doing her best judo. However, in an uncertain exchange, not long into golden score, the Croatian athlete found the space for an opportunistic o-soto-gari and scored a very important yuko. Immediately she burst into tears, a sign of how much it meant to her to win a medal at home with friends and family in the audience.
Final (+78 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (+78 kg)
