Daria Davydova delivers gold for hosts Russia

Russian judoka Daria Davydova struck U63kg gold to thrill an expectant Russian crowd on day two. European Championships bronze medallist Lucy Renshall (GBR), who was also aiming for a first Grand Slam title, was countered with 50 seconds left on the clock with a ura-nage for ippon in the first final on day two. Daydova was also Düsseldorf Grand Slam silver medallist.

In the first semi-final Hohhot Grand Prix silver medallist Gili Sharir (ISR) lost out to Davydova who scored with a ko-uchi-gake and then an uchi-mata, earning a waza-ari score with each throw. In the second semi-final Renshall prevailed against Cancun Grand Prix silver medallist Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard (CAN) who received her third shido for a gripping infringement in golden score.

The first bronze medal was won by Beauchemin-Pinard who held down world number 15 Agata Ozdoba-Blach (POL) for 20 seconds and ippon to claim her country’s third medal from their women’s team in Russia. “I was in control, but I was worried because I felt tired,” explained Beauchemin-Pinard after two of her previous fights went into overtime. “The grip was good and I was moving well. The more it went on, the better I felt, and I gained confidence.” 

The second bronze medal was won by Hohhot Grand Prix bronze medallist Bold Gankhaich (MGL) who doubled her country’s medal tally in Russia by beating Sharir by a waza-ari score.