Margaux Pinot pips Fletcher for French victory

Paris Grand Slam silver medallist Margaux Pinot (FRA) competed her Grand Prix hat-trick as the Frenchwoman swiftly dispatched Tel Aviv Grand Prix bronze medallist Megan Fletcher (IRL) in the -70kg final. Pinot threw for a waza-ari score and reacted first on the ground to submit her opponent with a juji-gatame.

Fletcher earned a career-best result which will push her towards an Olympic qualification position and the Irish talent can now relax and turn her attention to supporting her younger brother Ben on Sunday as he aims to repeat his victory from the 2018 Agadir Grand Prix.

In the first semi-final Fletcher downed Prague European Open bronze medallist Aoife Coughlan (AUS) by a waza-ari score. In the second semi-final Pinot held down Olympic bronze medallist Laura Vargas Koch (GER) for a place in the final.

The first bronze medal was awarded to Vargas Koch who submitted 2018 Minsk European Open bronze medallist Alessandra Prosdocimo (ITA). Vargas Koch returned to form with a commanding display and celebrated in style as she has reinvigorated her Tokyo 2020 ambitions.

The second bronze medal was won by former Tbilisi Grand Prix bronze medallist Elisavet Teltsidou (GRE) who brushed aside Coughlan with ease. Teltsidou launched her Australian opponent with a huge hip throw after 24 seconds for ippon.