Dutch Guusje Steenhuis remains undefeated in Grand Slams

Dutch Guusje Steenhuis topped the podium in the U78kg category of the Grand Slam in Tyumen as she defeated Tokyo Grand Slam silver medallist Sato Ruika in the final. Steenhuis maintained a 100% record in Grand Slams this year as she followed up on her Baku victory with an unbeatable display in Tyumen. Two-time Grand Slam winner Sato from japan, who is one of the most physical judoka in the category, failed with a tai-otoshi attempt and lost out on shido penalties with two against Sato and one against the eventual winner with both indiscretions as a result of the judoka going out of the contest area.

In the first semi-final contest European Games bronze medallist Steenhuis bested Tokyo Grand Slam bronze medallist Hamada Shori (JPN) on shido penalties. Steenhuis was penalised once while Hamada was penalised twice as both judoka failed to register any scores and the Dutch judoka advanced.

In the second semi-final Sato defeated World Judo Masters silver medallist Natalie Powell (GBR) by ippon with 37 seconds left. Sato had the advantage on shido penalties with two against Powell for passivity but that became irrelevant when the Japanese fighter produced the maximum score to take her place in the -78kg gold medal contest.

The first bronze medal was claimed by European Games silver medallist and top seed Luise Malzahn (GER) who defeated Powell in just 24 seconds by ippon to redeem herself after her semi-final loss. The second bronze medal contest was won by Hamada who bested European Games winner Marhinde Verkerk (NED) by trapping her in osaekomi for 20 seconds and ippon. Hamada marked her second Grand Slam appearance with a hard-fought result which will lift her confidence.