She beat triple world champion and triple Olympic medallist Mayra Aguiar (BRA) after the Brazilian was drawn against her in round two. Aguiar was not seeded and that provided some stress for both athletes. They were tied with two penalties apiece when Alice Bellandi attacked with a ko-uchi-makikomi to end the contest. Lytvynenko (UKR) was the next to be beaten and that put the Italian into the semi-final.
An unseeded Sampaio (POR) then upset the ranking in pool B. 2022 world silver medallist Zhenzhao Ma (CHN) was supposed to come through, as the 4th seed, but she was beaten by Sampaio who had also just thrown and held Malonga (FRA) inside the first minute of their contest. There would be no French flag in the final block.
Pool C was absolutely obliterated by Anna-Maria Wagner, the German powered past Branser (GUI) without blinking and then dominated Takayama (JPN), almost making it look easy. The Japanese judoka amassed 3 penalties, unable to find her posture, to attack, to keep pace.
Inbar Lanir, the Doha world champion, also stuck to the script, following Wagner’s lead, defeating Otgonbayar (MGL) and Steenhuis and the way to join Wagner in the semi-final.
The afternoon session will begin with repechage contests before the finalists become known.
Repechage
Lytvynenko (UKR) vs Ma (CHN)
Takayama (JPN) vs Steenhuis (NED)
Semi-finals
Bellandi (ITA) vs Sampaio (POR)
Wagner (GER) vs Lanir (ISR)