Anna-Maria Wagner in the winning mood

Germany’s Anna-Maria Wagner has matured into being a world-class performer this year with two Grand Prix victories form as many outings in 2019. Marrakech Grand Prix winner Wagner defeated former world bronze medallist Kaliema Antomarchi (CUB) in the U78kg final of the Grand Prix in Antalya by two scores and will now move into the world’s top 10 on the IJF World Ranking List for the first time in her career.

Germany’s four-time Grand Slam medallist threw with a ko-uchi-gari and completed her win by countering a uchi-mata with o-uchi-gari for yet another victory on the IJF circuit.

In the first semi-final Antomarchi edged past Tbilisi Grand Prix bronze medaliist Patricia Sampaio (POR) by a waza-ari score while in the second semi-final Wagner defeated Marrakech Grand Prix bronze medallist Luise Malzahn (GER) by ippon.

The first bronze medal contest was won by Malzahn who threw world number 43 Nefeli Papadakis (USA) for a waza-ari and held down the American newcomer for 10 seconds with a kuzure-kesa-gatame for her record-breaking 21st Grand Prix medal.                                                 

The second bronze medal was won by 2018 Antalya Grand Prix silver medallist Anastasiya Turchyn (UKR) who tapped out Sampaio with a koshi-jime strangle after 78 seconds of golden score.