Dorjsuren Sumiya beats the world top and takes gold

Two-time World Judo Masters winner Dorjsuren Sumiya (MGL) won her second straight IJF World Judo Tour event to catapult herself into contention for winning World honours in August. Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix poster girl Dorjsuren, 24, defeated Helene Receveaux (FRA) in a rematch and same result as the World Judo Masters final.

The Mongolian star won on shido penalties to bring the plentiful home crowd to their feet as Receveaux was unable to reverse the result of the Masters final in Rabat. The French fighter was penalised on three occasions and had to settle for silver. 

Dorjsuren said: “I think for the Mongolian athletes there is a home advantage, we all felt very strong today and the crowd was amazing. I am very happy to be part of such a successful day for Mongolia with three gold medals on day one for us. My next competition will be the World Championships in Kazakhstan where I also hope to be on the medal podium.”

In the first semi-final former Dorjsuren earned a roaring ovation from the home crowd as she defeated Olympic champion Matsumoto Kaori (JPN). The supremely confident Mongolian, who nearly opened the scoring with a version of a drop seoi-nage, took control in golden score as she registered a yuko after 25 additional seconds to guarantee one more medal for the hosts. In the second semi-final Asian Championships bronze medallist Liu Yang (CHN) fell to Receveaux by a solitary shido which was given to the former in a scoreless contest which sent Liu into the bronze medal contest and Receveaux into the final.

The first bronze medal was won by Asian Games bronze medallist RI Hyo Sun (PRK) against Asian Championships bronze medallist LIU by ippon after 22 seconds. The second bronze medal was won by Matsumoto against 35-year-old Abu Dhabi Grand Slam bronze medallist Sabrina Filzmoser (AUT) who avenged her first round defeat to her Austrian friend from the World Masters. Matsumoto secured bronze by osaekomi after trailing to a waza-ari as she showed her character in true Matsumoto style.