Grand Slam victory for Beata Pacut

Beata Pacut became the second ever winner of a Grand Slam for Poland. In her category U78kg she captured the gold medal at the Grand Slam in Tel Aviv by defeating Alina Boehm (GER), who took the opportunity to reach the final against the 2021 European champion, after she was able to overcome Patricia Sampaio in the semi final.

In the final both competitors were fully engaged and wanted to win. Not able to throw, it was eventually the penalties that made the difference and it was Beata Pacut who won her first ever gold medal in a Grand Slam.

Patricia Sampaio (POR) qualified for the bronze medal match against Giorgia Stangherlin (ITA), without reference at this level of competition for the moment. After a first waza-ari scored with a soto-makikomi, she later one pinned down Stangherlin for ippon to win her first medal in a grand slam.

In the second match for a bronze medal, Guusje Steenhuis (NED) and Alice Bellandi (ITA) battled for the podium. Alice Bellandi quickly took the lead with a magnificent seoi-nage that was rewarded with an ippon but video showed that the landing was not totally flat on the back, so it was downgraded to waza-ari. Alice Bellandi continued to put pressure on her opponent. It was a masterpiece of a low tai-otoshi for a clear ippon next that eventually gave her the victory and a first medal in a grand slam.

The category U78kg at the Grand Slam in Tel Aviv started with a big bang with the early elimination of Madeleine Malonga of France. Cruelly lacking in rhythm, her power was of no use against Patricia Sampaio who let the storm pass at the opening of the match before rolling the tall Frenchwoman and pinning her down for ippon. It was a disappointment for Malonga who will have to return to work to find the level which is really hers and which led her to become world champion three years ago.