Ami Kondo finally wins Grand Slam Paris
Japanese lightweight Kondo Ami won her sixth Grand Slam title and her first in Paris as she dispatched World Judo Masters winner Distria Krasniqi of Kosovo with a sumptuous ko-uchi-gari for ippon. Japan won the first final of the competition after Kondo showed her worth and took a major step towards selection for the 2019 World Championships in Tokyo.
In the first semi-final Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Kondo held down Ekaterinburg Grand Slam bronze medallist Ganbaatar Narantsetseg (MGL) for ippon while in the second semi-final Krasniqi defeated world number 14 Melanie Clement (FRA) by a waza-ari score in golden score.
The first bronze medal contest saw Sofia European Open winner Melodie Vaugarny (FRA) beat Clement by ippon from a tai-toshi after 26 seconds. The second bronze medal contest opposed world bronze medallist Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh (KAZ) and Ganbaatar and it was the former who prevailed after her Mongolian rival was disqualified after picking up three penalties.
Result | City | Date |
---|---|---|
2 | Paris | 30 Jul |
1 | Abu Dhabi | 21 May |
1 | Zagreb | 26 Apr |
3 | Belgrade | 2023 |
2 | Montpellier | 2023 |