Giovanna Scoccimarro fifth ever German World Junior champion

Giovanna Scoccimarro won world junior gold for Germany by beating Aleksandra Samardzic of Bosnia Herzegovina in the U70kg final in Zagreb. A waza-ari score was the difference after four minutes of judo as European Championships silver medallist Scoccimarro outworked Samardzic for a victory which ended Germany’s wait for a medal in Zagreb in scintillating fashion.

In the first semi-final Scoccimarro bested Prague European Open bronze medallist Gabriella Willems (BEL) by a waza-ari score which was the only time the scoreboard was called into action. In the second semi-final Samardzic saw off 19-year-old Junior Pan American Championships winner Ellen Santana (BRA) by a waza-ari.

Scoccimarro also took 700 points for the IJF Senior World Tour. Since this year the same points are given for the World Junior Championships as to a Grand Prix. Scoccimarro moved to place 18 in the senior World ranking. 

The first bronze medal was claimed by Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games bronze medallist Michaela Polleres (AUT) who proved too strong for 1st Kyu brown belt Santana. Polleres built a commanding lead of two waza-ari scores before pinning her Brazilian opponent in osaekomi for bronze.

The second bronze medal was won by Willems who pounced after a failed attack from former Junior World silver medallist Aoyagi Remi (JPN) to apply the juji-gatme for ippon. The Belgian youngster put her head in her hands in shock as she sealed world honours and against teak-tough opposition.

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Casse also took 700 points for the IJF Senior World Tour. Since this year the same points are given for the World Junior Championships as to a Grand Prix. Casse moved to place 23 in the senior World ranking.