Megumi Horikawa claims expected gold in Tashkent

Prisca Awiti Alcaraz (MEX) was the surprise of the category U63kg with a final position. For her first participation in the final of a grand slam, the mountain to climb, named Megumi Horikawa, was too high for Prisca Awiti Alcaraz, who was thrown with a first uchi-mata for waza-ari, followed by another masterful uchi-mata for ippon. It was gold for Japan’s Horikawa.

There was no stopping current world champion Megumi Horikawa on her return to Tashkent. The Japanese judoka was impressive all day, winning all 5 of her contests with ippon scores, using a combination of beautiful throws and strong groundwork. This is her 4th grand slam gold medal and it puts her just ahead of fellow countrywoman Takaichi in the race for Olympic qualification.

The reigning world champion Megumi Horikawa (JPN) didn’t struggle much during the morning session of the Grand Slam in Tashkent. After a first round that lasted only 46 seconds, against the Spaniard Laura Vazquez Fernandez, it nevertheless took her four minutes against Tamires Crude (BRA). The time spent on the tatami is however not entirely significant since Horikawa scored two waza-ari, concluding at the very end of the match with an immobilisation. Against Florentina Ivanescu (ROU), it took her just over half the match to win by ippon, while in the semi-final against Szofi Ozbas (HUN), she finished with the maximum score just before the limit.

Prisca Awiti Alcaraz won in her first round against Marjona Nurulloeva (UZB), she prevailed against Gabriella Moraes (BRA), who herself had taken out one of the favourites, Barbara Timo (POR), winner of the Portugal Grand Prix at the start of the season.

All that remained for Prisca Awiti Alcaraz was to get rid of Hannah Martin (USA) and Andreja Leski (SLO) to join Horikawa in the final, which she did brilliantly. Tashkent is Awiti Alcaraz’s 13th grand slam, an unlucky number for some, but this event brings her first medal and so has broken that spell. A silver medal was for Mexico on Saturday. Awiti Alcaraz will be delighted to claim her first ever grand slam medal after 13 attempts.

The first match for a bronze medal was between Florentina Ivanescu (ROU) and Andreja Leski (SLO). After a well-balanced match and with only a few seconds remaining, Florentina Ivanescu scored a waza-ari with a beautiful tai-otoshi, to take the bronze medal, a first medal in a grand slam for the Romanian judoka.

The second bronze medal was disputed by Agathe Devitry (FRA) and Szofi Ozbas (HUN). The normal time ended with an even score of one waza-ari apiece while Devitry had two shido to her name. Time for golden score and at the two minute mark Szofi Ozbas eventually won her fourth medal in a grand slam.