Cuban legend Ortiz wins fifth Grand Prix title

World silver medallist Idalys Ortiz of Cuba defeated double world silver medallist Maria Suelen Altheman (BRA) for the 14th time in her career to win her fifth Grand Prix gold medal. The Cuban legend, who has won all three colours of Olympic medals available, is already a leading contender for Tokyo 2020 and was unbeatable in Mexico on Sunday.

Ortiz beat Altheman in the World Championships semi-final last month and recorded one more win against the Brazilian in golden score. Altheman was penalised for passivity for the third time after 48 secinds of added time and remains winless against the standard bearer for the +78kg category.

In the first semi-final Altheman dropped to throw three-time Grand Slam bronze medallist Kseniia Chibisova (RUS) for ippon to secure a place in the final as Brazil’s medal rush continued on day three. In the second semi-final Ortiz defeated Ekaterinburg Grand Slam bronze medallist Beatriz Souza (BRA) in a lacklustre contest as the Brazilian was penalised with her third shido for a false attack.

The first bronze medal was awarded to world number 10 Souza who beat world number 18 Sarah Adlington (GBR). The British judoka was denied a fifth Grand Prix bronze medal after being penalised for passivity for a third time and was disqualified. Brazil meanwhile continued to go from strength to strength on the last day in Mexico.       

The second bronze medal was won by Chibisova who defeated Tashkent Grand Prix bronze medallist Anzhela Gasparian (RUS) with a harai-makikomi after 70 seconds. World number 25 Chibisova solidified her place as Russia’s number one female heavyweight with a powerful display to win her fifth Grand Prix bronze medal.