Jinesinuer Ayiman (CHN) arrived to face Raz Hershko (ISR) for the first bronze medal of the category. Hershko might have expected to be in the final but she slipped up against the other member of the Chinese delegation. For the bronze medal, Hershko would want to set the record straight but it wasn’t to be. Ayiman countered an o-uchi-gari attempt from Hershko and then held her down for ippon. Raz placed 5th while both Chinese athletes made it to the podium, although the colour of Niu’s (CHN) medal was yet to be decided.
In the second bronze medal contest, Julia Tolofua (FRA) was up against Nazgul Maratova (KAZ). Neither had a perfect run in the morning session but both presented danger to all their opponents and so it promised to be a close contest. In the end, Tolofua took the upper hand, winning tactically but convincingly. This is Tolofua’s first appearance on the World Judo Tour for ten months and so she can be happy to reach the podium; no break from competition is easy to manage.
Xinran Niu (CHN), having dispatched Raz Hershko, among others, earlier in the day, reached the final to face teenage sensation Chihiro Yamaguchi (JPN). However, Yamaguchi was unable to compete having sustained a minor injury during the preliminary rounds. Therefore Niu would step up to the top rung and could be proud of her gold medal.
Final (+78 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (+78 kg)
