Hungarian Luca Mamira captures World title U40kg

Hungary continues to grab medals in each age category. Super lightweight Mamira Luca became the successor of Gerczak Szabina (2013) and Varga Brigitta (2017). The youngster was the strongest in her category U40kg.

In Almaty was a story of dethronement. Armenia and world number one Susanna Stepanyan lost in her very first contest against local hero Alima Zhumagaliyeva. The Kazakh became then the big favourite of the event until she met in the semi-finals Chiara Antonina Dispenza.

The Italian won in the golden score and reached the final where Luca Mamira was waiting. The Hungarian, second in the world ranking, had a tough match versus Russia's Sofia Afanaseva in semi-finals. Both finalists qualified for the most important contest after scoring during the whole day. But only one was really set. Thirty seconds after the beginning of the match, Mamira scored ippon and became world champion.

France and world number five Pauline Cuq won the first bronze medal by defeating Russia Sofia Afanaseva with a waza-ari in the golden score. The second bronze medal stayed in Kazakhstan. Alima Zhumagaliye defeated Brazil Rebeka Wenceslaw by ippon.

Ozbas Szofi won the European Junior title last week for Hungary, she is former Youth Olympic Games winners.