Audrey Posvite powers gold in Qingdao

Fanny Estelle Posvite of France earned the best result of her career in her new home of -78kg with an irresistible display. Posvite, who only moved up from -70kg to -78kg in March, now has eight medals from nine events at -78kg and defeated former world champion Audrey Tcheumeo (FRA) to seal her first Masters title today.

While France’s world champion Madeleine Malonga slipped to defeat in her opening contest (against Yoon Hyunji - KOR) it was Posvite who triumphed from a trio of French stars in the category. Osaka Grand Slam bronze medallist Posvite will jump up the rankings from 19th position but would have to do something extraordinary in the early part of 2020 to be selected over current number one Malonga.

In the first semi-final two-time Grand Prix winner Anna Maria Wagner (GER) lost out to the in-form Posvite by ippon to ensure an all-French final.

In the second semi-final Tcheumeo bested four-time Grand Prix winner Chen Fei (CHN) by ippon to signal her return to form on the IJF World Judo Tour.

The first bronze medal contest was won by home judoka Chen who secured her country’s first medal of their home Masters. Former Tokyo Grand Slam bronze medallist Yoon Hyunji (KOR) was below-par as she picked up her third shido for passivity to gift a place on the podium to the Chinese judoka.

The second bronze medal was won by Wagner who conquered world number 27 Lee Jeongyun (KOR) after four minutes by a single waza-ari score to claim her first World Judo Masters prize. A de-ashi-barai was the difference as the German judoka utilised her well-timed ashi-waza to strike and end her year on a high.