Asahina earns second Grand Slam win on the road in 2017

Japanese champion Asahina Sarah continued her undefeated streak with a comfortable win in Russia. She had also won the Paris Grand Slam in February. Tokai University member Asahina, 20, has now won Grand Slams in Tokyo, Paris and Ekaterinburg in succession and won the All Japan Open weight Championships in April.

The Japanese starlet defeated European Games silver medallist Jasmin Kuelbs (GER) for her latest success with a waza-ari from an uchi-mata proving the difference after four minutes.

In the first semi-final European Championships bronze medallist Larisa Ceric (BIH) was thwarted by Asahina who threw with a harai-goshi for ippon.

In the second semi-final Kuelbs showed off her ashi-waza to throw European Championships bronze medallist Carolin Weiss (GER) for the maximum score.

The first bronze medal was claimed by Weiss who bested double world silver medallist Maria Suelen Altheman (BRA) by a waza-ari score which from a ura-nage after 20 seconds of golden score. The second bronze medal contest was won by European Championships winner Maryna Slutskaya of Belarus as Ceric accumulated three shido penalties to receive hansoku-make.  Another confirmation for Slutskaya she can shine at world level. She is one of the top eight at the World Championships to try to prevent Asahina to capture the world title as well. Europe obviously also has Olympic champion Emilie Andeol.