Belgian Amber Ryheul enters Grand Prix level gold

Astride Gneto is not unknown on the World Judo Tour as she already experienced climbing on to the podium eight times, especially notable that she did this twice on the World Judo Masters podium. Her opponent in the final didn't have such a prize list but showed great skill during the preliminary rounds.

Amber Ryheul wanted it more. In a match where neither of the two athletes were really capable of changing the rhythm to find opportunities, it was the Belgian who proved to be more confident. In the golden score period she finally pinned down her opponent to score ippon and win a first gold medal in a grand prix.

In the first bronze medal contest of the category, Annika Wurfel of Germany faced Martina Castagnola of Italy. For both athletes it was a debut at that level, no matter what the final result would be. The victory went to Annika Wurfel after Martina Castagnola was penalised for the third time.

Youth Olympic Games bronze medallist Ana Viktorija Puljiz (CRO) was the first representative of the host country in a position to win a medal. For the bronze medal contest she was opposed to the winner of the Zagreb European Open earlier this year, Izaskun Ballesteros Gonzalez (ESP). After 26 seconds in golden score, the Spanish judoka was disqualified for a head dive, offering the first medal for the host nation to Ana Viktorija Puljiz.