Mongolian final U63kg decided by Tsedevsuren

Asian Championships winner Tsedevsuren Munkhzaya (MGL) won an-all Mongolian U63kg final as the force of one of judo’s powerhouse nations was on display following the recent Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix. Tsedevsuren prevailed in a scrappy contest as Tsend-Ayush Tserennadmid (MGL), who won her home event earlier this month, was penalised on three occasions while her colleague was penalised twice.

Alice Schlesinger (GBR) surprisingly overcame world silver medallist Yarden Gerbi (ISR) in the quarter-finals by a yuko. An interesting fight with a political background out of the power of the athletes. 

In the first semi-final Schlesinger lost out to Tsedevsuren in the last four stage. Schlesinger has enjoyed a new lease of life under the British regime but was convincingly defeated by ippon from a makikomi effort after trailing to a waza-ari score. In the second semi-final Tsend-Ayush matched the efforts of her teammate as she squeezed past Zagreb Grand Prix bronze medallist Edwige Gwend (ITA) on shido penalties. The Italian judoka was penalised twice while her Mongolian opponent was only reprimanded once by the referee.

The first bronze medal was won by 2013 world champion Yarden Gerbi (ISR) who found herself in the repechage which has been familiar territory for the two-time Grand Slam winner this year. Gerbi was at her ruthless best in this contest as she scored a yuko and added a second from a kesa-gatame hold for 12 seconds against Gwend and wrapped up the victory by ippon with 43 seconds left. The second bronze medal was won by Schlesinger against Budapest Grand Prix bronze medallist Anna Bernholm (SWE) as the latter toiled and was penalised four times to receive hansoku-make.