Croatia's Katarina Kristo makes steps steps

In the U63kg final in Astana, tension ran high as Croatian judoka Katarina Kristo faced off against her neighbor Andreja Leski, with both eyeing crucial points for Olympic qualification. Kristo, determined to secure maximum points to boost her Paris aspirations, expertly managed the bout, displaying a cautious yet effective approach. Despite Leski's formidable throwing skills, Kristo navigated the contest with precision, ensuring she avoided any potential pitfalls. In a tight and intense battle, Kristo emerged victorious, unleashing a roar of relief and satisfaction as she possibly secured her ticket to Paris.

For Kristo and her compatriot Iva Oberan, the stakes were high, not only competing for medals but also for their National Olympic Committee's nomination for the Paris Games. Oberan, currently in the 23rd position on the Olympic ranking list, holds a precarious lead over Kristo, sitting just 15 points ahead in 24th place. Their semi-final clash saw Kristo countering Oberan's moves to secure her spot in the final, further intensifying their Olympic qualification duel.

In the bronze medal contest between Pohl (GER) and Oberan (CRO), Oberan initially took control with aggressive attacks. However, in a fierce exchange, Oberan's attempt resulted in her head being the first point of contact with the mat, leading to her disqualification and granting Pohl her first grand slam medal, met with a jubilant smile.

The second bronze medal showdown featured contenders from Brazil and Japan, with Nauana Silva and Minami Aono battling it out. Despite Silva's strong performance throughout the day, Aono clinched victory in ne-waza, securing a hold-down on Silva for the full 20 seconds early in the contest, sealing the bronze medal for Japan.