Masters mainstay Natalia Kuziutina captures gold for Russia

Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Natalia Kuziutina was the hero for the hosts as the reliable Russian blew away world-class opposition to win -52kg gold. Kuziutina defeated Tokyo Grand Slam bronze medallist Amandine Buchard (FRA) in the final to add to her impressive resume from one of the sport’s showpiece events.

Kuziutina is a Masters specialist having won silver a year ago and gold in 2015 and was too strong for her French rival in a repeat outcome of their World Championships repechage contest. After three minutes and three seconds of golden score, Kuziutina came up with a waza-ari score to register Russia in the gold medal column on the opening day in St. Petersburg.

In the first semi-final world number one Erika Miranda (BRA) had to submit to Buchard who tapped out the Brazilian star with shime-waza. In the second semi-final Zagreb Grand Prix bronze medallist Jessica Pereira (BRA) was pinned down by Kuziutina for ippon.

The first bronze medal contest opposed Abu Dhabi Grand Slam bronze medallist Alexandra-Larisa Florian (ROU) and Pereira and it was the former who threw with a uchi-mata for ippon with 95 seconds left.

In the second bronze medal contest Miranda prevailed as she took control of The Hague Grand Prix winner Distria Krasniqi (KOS) with a clever counter for a waza-ari score in golden score as the Brazilian joined a World Judo Masters podium for the first time.

Kuziutina is now the new number two of the world, behind Erika Miranda who won the 50,000 dollar bonus.

Read all the news about the IJF World Masters in St. Petersburg.