Japanese Saki Niizoe continues winning gold

Paris Grand Slam bronze medallist Niizoe Saki (JPN) captured her second Grand Prix gold medal with a straightforward win over Baku Grand Slam silver medallist Anna Bernholm (SWE) in the U70kg final. Two-time Grand Prix winner Bernholm was thrown with a ashi-guruma for the maximum score for Niizoe who warmed up for the Grand Prix with a traditional Friday evening session at the Kodokan last week.

In the first semi-final Bernholm bested Tashkent Grand Prix silver medallist Giovanna Scoccimarro (GER) by ippon while in the second semi-final Niizoe dispatched world number 57 Sun Xiaoqian (CHN) by ippon.

The first bronze medal was awarded to former world number one Kelita Zupancic (CAN) who wrapped up Sun on the ground with a sankaku-gatame for her second and match-winning waza-ari score to add to Canada’s growing medal collection in China. Kelita Zupancic (U70 kg) will be leaving China with a bronze medal around her neck. She defeated a local favourite, Sun Xiaoqian, by ippon to stand on the podium.

“Winning a medal always makes a good day! My bronze medal match went as planned, so I’m happy with that.”

Earlier today, the Whitby-native had a score of 1 victory and 1 loss in the preliminaries. The Ontarian bounced back in repechage with an ippon against Greek Elisavet Teltsidou.

“I’m not satisfied with the one I lost! I was too hesitant, but the journey continues.”

The second bronze medal was won by Scoccimarro who narrowly defeated world number 137 and IJF World Judo Tour debutant Lee Ye-won (KOR) by a waza-ari score.