Brazilian maestro Erika Miranda wins ahead of Worlds tilt

Three-time world medallist Erika Miranda of Brazil won the fourth Grand Slam gold medal of her decorated career as she beat European Championships silver medallist Alesya Kuznetsova of Russia in the U52kg final.

Miranda, who is only missing gold from her Worlds collection, won all four of her contests in Russia including a gusty display in the final to pull back the contest from ne-waza ace Kuznetsova who moved up from U48kg to U52kg in February. Kuznetsova scored first from a tate-shiho-gatame hold for 18 seconds and the knowledgeable crowd raised the volume inside the Palace of Sports whenever the contest reached the ground. Miranda levelled the score in regulation time with a waza-ari before rolling over her opponent in added time for a gold medal-winning score. Miranda had the pleasure to have her coach Rosicleia Campos back in the seat and celebrate their joint success.

In the first semi-final Kuznetsova downed former world bronze medallist Amandine Buchard (FRA) after three minutes and 25 seconds of added time. The home judoka rolled Buchard for a match-winning waza-ari as she came out victorious in a battle of two former -48kg standouts who have moved up to -52kg.

In the second semi-final Olympic bronze medallist Natalia Kuziutina lost out to Miranda via a left-sided ippon seoi-nage which came after a titanic tussle. The Brazilian and the home judoka went over double their regulation time as four minutes and four seconds of golden score was needed to deliver to first and last score of the contest.

In the first bronze medal contest Antalya Grand Prix silver medallist Gili Cohen (ISR) was held down by Kuziutina as the Russian won bronze to a loud ovation from her supporters. In the second bronze medal contest Buchard bested Pan American Championships bronze medallist Ecaterina Guica (CAN) in 13 seconds. The French judoka, who has finally committed to the -52kg category having flirted with the division since 2014, won by ippon as she finally looks settled at her new weight category.