Japanese teen Akira Sone defeats Cuban Legend Ortiz in Guangzhou

Japanese youngster Sone Akira defeated world silver medallist Idalys Ortiz of Cuba to win her first major title on the IJF World Judo Tour. Sone, 18, showed no fear as she went up against arguably the most decorated female heavyweight in the sport and the 29-year-old Cuban struggled under the immense degree of pressure from the Japanese teen.

Ortiz received hansoku-make for her third shido for passivity to give one more gold medal to Japan and to establish Osaka Grand Slam silver medallist Sone as a real contender for Tokyo 2020.

In the first semi-final Ortiz edged past Cancun Grand Prix silver medallist Maria Suelen Altheman (BRA) by the slender margin of a single waza-ari score with a determined display. In the second semi-final world bronze medallist Larisa Ceric (BIH) was convincgly beaten by Sone by ippon.

The first bronze medal was claimed by Ceric who bested Tashkent Grand Prix winner Iryna Kindzerska (AZE) by ippon to claim her third Masters medal. World number three Ceric controlled the contest to register another major medal for her country and to remain in the leading group of heavyweights in the world.

The second bronze medal contest was won by Altheman who overpowered 2017 World Judo Masters winner Kim Minjeong (KOR). Brazil’s Altheman pinned down her South Korean opponent to score her second waza-ari and to clinch a hugely valuable medal towards her quest for selection for Tokyo 2020.