Amandine Buchard launches her version of kata-guruma for waza-ari

In the final itself Miranda was opposed to the best French hope for the future, Amandine Buchard. The French was the best chance of medal for her delegation in Rio in -48kg but facing weight management problems, the 21-year-old, did not go to Rio. Being now in the U52kg category, she showed that she will be one of the main contenders in the coming years.

But still the way is long until Tokyo 2020. In her semi-final, Buchard eliminated second seed athlete of the day, Pupp Reka of Hungary, both coached by a former World Champion.

During the first two minutes, Miranda and Buchard seemed to study one another, the French trying to wrap up her opponent into a large makikomi movement, while the Brazilian tried to take advantage of several situations on the floor. But when they entered the final minutes, they only had one shido each, not enough to win the match. With 30 seconds left, the final seemed to go straight to golden score, when Buchard launched her version of kata-guruma for waza-ari, signing a beautiful comeback at the top level.

The first bronze medal contest opposed Joana Ramos (POR) and Pupp Reka (HUN). Halfway from the end, Ramos scored the first positive advantage with a rolling makikomi for waza-ari, which was doubled up a few seconds later with the left handed same technique. The Portuguese, who has been on the circuit already for many years, finally concluded with an immobilisation for waza-ari. Her last presence on the podium of a World Judo Tour event was almost two years ago, when Ramos won the Tyumen Grand Slam 2015.

In the second bronze medal contest Darya Skrypnik (BLR) faced Charline Van Snick (BEL). After a powerful groundwork session, Skrypnik caught Van Snick in sankaku-jime and osaekomi but for no score as the Belgian escaped in time. Then the four minutes of the regular time did not give the opportunity to both athletes to score anything. In the meantime they were penalised with one shido each. It is in the golden score that Skrypnik finally launched a left handed drop-seoi-nage for a well-deserved waza-ari and a bronze medal.

Amandine Buchard was congratulated by her coach, Séverine Vandenhende, World champion in 1997 and Olympic Champion in Sydney 2000.