Andreea Chitu is earlier in shape then 2014, golden summer started

World silver medallist and world number two Andreea CHITU (ROU) showed her fighting spirit as she beat Tyumen Grand Slam silver medallist Yulia RYZHOVA (RUS) in a frenetic contest. CHITU, who was penalised for passivity after 90 seconds, was first to the grip for the remainder of the contest as she showed a real appetite for beating the Russian and received the rewards for all her endeavours in the form of the gold medal. CHITU scored a waza-ari with 39 seconds left as RYZHOVA was second best in her last contest.

In the first semi-final CHITU overcame 19-year-old Samsun Grand Prix winner Distria KRASNIQI (KOS) by ippon after leading with a yuko. In the second semi-final RYZHOVA comprehensively defeated Samsun Grand Prix bronze medallist Agata PERENC (POL) with a waza-ari advantage before scoring ippon as the Polish fighter could not trouble the defensively robust Russian.

The first bronze medal was clinched by beaten semi-finalist PERENC who held off Tbilisi Grand Prix bronze medallist Odette GIUFFRIDA (ITA) to win by a yuko which was the only score of the contest. GIUFFRIDA, 20, was narrowly undone as both judoka attacked with ashi-waza and the Polish fighter picked up the score to continue her strong start to the year. The second bronze medal was won by KRASNIQI who bested Abu Dhabi Grand Slam bronze medallist Annabelle EURANIE (FRA). As -52kg world champion Majlinda KELMENDI (KOS) urged on her teammate from the stands the Kosovan dynamo showed her quality as she cancelled out the high-quality veteran EURANIE who herself has been a prominent figure on the IJF World Judo Tour.