Kana Abe lifts Japan's performances in Tyumen

At the Grand Slam of Tyumen World number four Abe Kana of Japan emerged triumphant in Russia to the frustrations of her opponent, Sofia European Open bronze medallist Ekaterina Valkova of Russia and the home crowd. Abe registered a perfect record as she won all four of her contests by ippon including the final which was settled after just 22 seconds as a textbook uchi-mata earned ippon.

In the first semi-final Valkova thwarted teammate and former European Team Championships bronze medallist Margarita Gurtieva (RUS) to ensure that she would be Russia’s representative in the final. VALKOVA won by ippon having opened the scoring with a waza-ari in a strong performance. In the second semi-final Abe defeated Tbilisi Grand Prix bronze medallist Pari Surakatova (RUS) by ippon in only 69 seconds.

The first bronze medal was won Surakatova in 49 seconds as Baku Grand Slam bronze medallist Edwige Gwend (ITA) fell by ippon to what was more of a push than a throw as she gripped her rival and turned her body to send the Italian onto her back for ippon. The second bronze medal went to San Salvador Pan American Open winner Hilde Drexler (AUT) who held down Gurtieva with a mune-gatame to stop the previously scoreless contest entering the impending golden score with only five seconds remaining.