Barchinoy Kodirova gives Uzbekistan judo extacy

In the U70kg category of the Cadet World Championships in Sarajevo, the number one seed, Shavon Gonzales (USA) was therefore eliminated prematurely by a future semi-finalist, Azhar Askhat (KAZ), who herself had to bow out at the hands of Serena Ondei of team Italy. Opposed to Serena Ondei was Barchinoy Kodirova (UZB), seeded number four here in Sarajevo.

The final started with a bang, as Kodirova threw her opponent with a massive ura-nage, rewarded with ippon. The score was then changed to waza-ari and a shido given to Serena Ondei for using her elbows to avoid the flat landing on her back. It didn't take much time for Kodirova to score again, this time with a seoi-nage driving her opponent to the floor, without an attempt to use the elbows for protection this time.

Being seeded in the cadets does not guarantee an easy course during the preliminary rounds. It's not that it's easier for the other age groups, but the lack of experience of the youngest ones does not always allow them to clearly assert their potential.

To qualify for the bronze medal match, Ingrid Nilsson (SWE) had to get past Lila Mazzarino (FRA). She then still had another Frenchwoman to face, Teophila Darbes-Takam, to work for a place on the podium. What a start to today's final block; just a few seconds after the beginning of the contest, Darbes-Takam went for the ura-nage, which Ingrid Nilsson avoided and with a clever change of direction and a powerful drive to the floor she scored ippon to win a fast and clear bronze medal.

Even before the beginning of the final block, Mazzarino had her bronze medal in the pocket. Unable to appear on the tatami because of a direct hansoku-make earned earlier in the competition, Azhar Askhat (KAZ) opened the doors of the world podium to the French judoka.