Emi Yamagishi acts at World level in Paris

At the Grand Prix of Paris the Japanese women booked two gold medals, one of them was in the lightweight category U48kg. Jeju Grand Prix winner Yamagishi Emi (JPN) was the star performer U48kg as she finished her day by beating world champion Munkhbat Urantsetseg (MGL) to earn gold. Yamagishi stepped away from a ko-soto-gari attempt which left Munkhbat off balance and she slipped to concede a yuko which was all that separated them after four minutes of action.

Yamagishi booked her place in the final by conquering 18-year-old Sofia European Open winner Distria KRASNIQI (KOS) by ippon in 17 seconds.  At the same stage world champion Munkhbat narrowly defeated Arlen Open winner Maria Celia LABORDE (CUB) by a yuko which was the only score of the contest.  

The first bronze medal was won by teenage revelation Amandine BUCHARD (FRA) who outperformed Maria Celia LABORDE (CUB). BUCHARD won France’s first medal of the competition on shido penalties as she left the tatami overwhelmed in tears of joy and will be one of the new stars of the 2014 World Judo Tour. The second bronze medal went to Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Paula PARETO (ARG) who bested Distria KRASNIQI (KOS) after the Kosovan received a shido for passivity with a minute remaining to separate the rivals in a scoreless contest.