Faultless Jessica Klimkait keeps up the pressure

Canadian World Judo Masters bronze medallist Jessica Klimkait defeated world number 10 Sarah Leonie Cysique (FRA) for the fourth time in as many meetings to earn her second Grand Slam gold medal.

Klimkait saw off her French rival by ippon from a sode-tsurikomi-goshi at the halfway point of the final. World champion and world number one Christa Deguchi, who was not present in Germany, has the advantage over Klimkait but the 2013 Cadet World Championships gold medallist delivered a determined display of the highest quality while under an almost unbearable level of pressure. Canada’s dramatic race for Tokyo 2020 will continue with their battle expected to be settled by a best-of-three play-off between the two following the closure of the Olympic qualification period in May.

In the first semi-final Klimkait edged past former world champion Dorjsuren Sumiya (MGL) with a waza-ari score with 35 seconds left on the clock. In the second semi-final Brasilia Grand Slam bronze medallist Theresa Stoll (GER) was catapulted through the air for ippon by Cysique from a sublime ashi-guruma on the edge of the area after 90 seconds of golden score.

The first bronze medal was awarded to two-time Grand Prix winner Anastasiia Konkina (RUS) who eased past Stoll by two scores as the hosts missed the podium on day one in Düsseldorf.

The second bronze medal was won by Dorjsuren who dropped under Montreal Grand Prix bronze medallist Timna Nelson Levy (ISR) with a seoi-nage after 90 seconds of golden score for ippon.