Laetitia Payet fights her way back at world level

France was the first nation at the Grand Prix of Mongolia to take a gold medal. Three-time European bronze medallist Laetitia Payet forced her way back to the upper echelons of the U48kg category after defeating 18-year-old Asian Championships bronze medallist Kang Yu Jeong (KOR) in the final.

Kang, who was contesting her first IJF World Judo Tour final, went down to 29-year-old Payet by a waza-ari score and a yuko as the Frenchwoman – who returned this year after a two-year lay-off since becoming a mother – is making rapid progress and will no doubt be rewarded with more selections at major events on the circuit.

In the first semi-final top seed Kim Sol Mi (PRK) lost out to Payet having been penalised twice in a scoreless contest. Payet, who posted an unblemished record, left the mat holding her left arm and grimacing with pain after being awarded the contest after four minutes of action.

In the second semi-final Kang defeated Minsk European Open winner Alexandra PODRYADOVA (KAZ) by a yuko score to guarantee at least a silver medal in Ulaanbaatar.

The first bronze medal – and first medal to be decided in this year’s edition of Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix - was awarded to world number 32 PODRYADOVA who defeated 20-year-old JIANG Yahong (CHN). PODRYADOVA made her return to the IJF medal podium for the first time since 2013 (Tashkent Grand Prix silver) while JIANG has to wait to win her first senior medal on the World Judo Tour.   

The second bronze medal was won by 17-year-old tyro BISHRELT Khorloodoi (MGL) who came from a waza-ari down to stun KIM and win her country’s first medal of the Ulaanbaatar grand Prix. BISHRELT bested KIM by ippon for the first medal on the senior stage which is the launching point of her career as a member of Mongolia’s star-laden senior team.

BISHRELT said: “I feel very happy, I’m very excited by my result as I felt so nervous fighting on this big stage in my home country. I studied KIM in the earlier rounds so I felt ready to fight her and kept focused throughout the fight. KHASHBAATAR is my hero, I take inspiration from him and it is an honour to now be in the same team as someone special like him. I will now look forward to fighting at the Cadet World Championships in August.”