Barbara Matic collects second ever Grand Slam victory

Double World Champion Barbara Matic (CRO) did some good business for her ranking after winning the gold medal at the second day of the Grand Slam in Baku. In the final she defeated another former World Champion, Marie-Eve Gahie of France. Two weeks ago both ended on the podium in Paris at the Grand Slam. At the European Championships last year, it was Gahie who finished first with Matic on bronze podium position. Last year in Baku both shared the bronze podium.

The final began with a high pace, neither athlete willing to reliquish their hold on their winning streak but at almost one minute of contest time, Gahie took control and countered with a huge yoko-guruma for waza-ari. All looked lost for Matic but she didn't let up, not for a second and in the next 90 seconds she whipped underneath Gahie with a super-fast seoi-otoshi for ippon. Gahie has a second silver in as many events and Matic leaves with gold.

The first bronze would be taken home by either Gercsak (HUN) or Polleres. It went to the Hungarian judoka at full time after a makikomi put a waza-ari on the board for her. Polleres worked hard in ne-waza to overtake her but it wasn't to be.

The second bronze medal was fought for by Kim Polling and Teltsidou (GRE). The Greek competitor capitalised on a poorly prepared attack from Polling inside the first minute, taking care to maximise her position on the ground and secure the hold. It was bronze for Teltsidou adding Greece to the medal table.

2019 World champion Mari-Eve Gahie was throwing and throwing and throwing during the morning session, stacking up double waza-ari wins against both Pileckaite (LTU) and Goshen (ISR) after a bye in the first round. In the semi-final she was unable to throw but not for want of trying. The contest went to two penalties each but in the end it was decided on a clear push from Elisavet Teltsidou who drove Gahie out of the area without an attack in play.

Further down the draw and the success of the top seeds continued. Double world champion Matic cleaned up in pool C and Olympic medallist Michaela Polleres (AUT) was just as powerful a force in pool D, taking out KimPolling (NED) with two massive ura-nage throws in the quarter-final. Matic then won again, using her makikomi to pass Polleres, joining an energised Gahie in the final.

Elisavet Teltsidou (GRE) arrived as both the top seed and the reigning Baku Grand Slam champion but having not medalled on the Tour since that event, her trajectory today was uncertain.

She did claw her way to the semi-final but it was a tricky run with her throws not quite hitting the mark. Without scores being registered she had to rely on penalties but in the semi-final this course of action came undone.