Two Asian and two PanAm judoka go for gold U48kg

Japanese Asami Haruna is back on track for a World medal. The double World Champion of 2010 and 2011 and silver medallist in 2013 is the semi final and will fight against Brazilian Nathalia Brigida of Brazil who is the left over Brazilian after Olympic Champion Sarah Menezes lost her first match against Belgian Bronze Olympian Charline Van Snick. The Belgian was defeated by Paula Pareto who ranked among the best four in advance of the final block.

The small Argentine bronze medallist of the 2008 Olympics. Pareto was the winner of the pool of death with Menezes and Van Snick and 2012 bronze Olympic Eva Csernovickzy of Hungary who was defeated in the quarter final and was sent to the repechage.

Asian champion Jeong Bo-Kyeong of Korea is in a good shape and won three tournaments this year. She reached the last four by impressive victories against Galbadragkh (MGL), Figueroa (ESP) and World Champion Ami Kondo, the 2014 World Champion who will now face Csernoviczky. Maryna Cherniak (UKR) and Monica Ungureau (ROU), the other Europeans will battle for a place for the bronze bout.

The last time a non Asian won the world title U48kg is 2005 by 18-year old Cuban talent Yanet Bermoy who is still competing. The last European to win was in 1991 by Cecile Nowak.

Two Asians and two Pan Americans in the semi finals of the World Championships U48kg. The tradition continues.

Semi finals

Asami vs Brigida 0-0

Pareto vs Jeong 0-1

2014 Tokyo Grand Slam