CHinese Yu Song on course for Rio after win in Tbilisi

World number five YU Song (CHN) made sure her country produced a 100% winning record in Georgia as China’s only representative in Georgia made her trip count in the best way possible. YU overcame world number 12 Svitlana IAROMKA (UKR) in the heavyweight women’s final as they traded shido penalties with a tame start to proceedings. YU showed more willing and floored the judoka who stood between her and a place on the top of the podium with a bold piece of ashi-waza for ippon.

In the first semi-final top seed Franziska KONITZ (GER) was undone by Sofia European Open winner IAROMKA (UKR) as a sole yuko for the Ukrainian was the only score of the contest. In the second semi-final YU defeated world bronze medallist Emilie ANDEOL (FRA) in a battle of wits. YU was more positive in the gripping exchanges and her positive endeavours were rewarded by a place in the gold medal contest as ANDEOL lost on shido penalties having received two while her Chinese conqueror was penalised only once.

The first bronze medal was won by ANDEOL who outworked Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix bronze medallist Jasmin KUELBS (GER) in a contest which never ignited. Passive German KUELBS was penalised twice as ANDEOL applied more pressure and captured one more medal for France. The second bronze medal was clinched by KONITZ who saw off Tashkent Grand Prix winner Gulzhan ISSANOVA (KAZ) on shido penalties.