South Korean Kim Minjeong wins in Tashkent

World number 13 Kim Minjeong of South Korea won the women’s heavyweight gold medal at the Grand Prix of Tashkent and beat both of China’s leading heavyweights en route to gold. Kim controlled the final against Ma Sisi (CHN) and despite being unable to score the South Korean standout was more positive as she was willing to engage and test the resistance of her opponent. Ma was penalised twice and that was the only involvement from the referee as Kim was awarded the contest and hoisted her coach into the air after leaving the tatami.

In the first semi-final world champion and world number one Yu Song lost out to Kim on a single shido after both judoka scored a yuko in regular time. In the second semi-final Ma downed Zagreb Grand Prix bronze medallist Jasmin Kuelbs by ippon and two and a half minutes of action.

The first bronze medal was won by Budapest Grand Prix winner Kayra Sayit who turned in to attack with such force that Kuelbs was sent off balance and over for ippon with 70 seconds left. The bold performance secured Turkey’s second medal in Tashkent following the day two success of -63kg bronze medallist Busra Katipoglu. The second bronze medal was won by Yu who atoned for her premature challenge for a higher place on the podium. The beaten semi-finalist regained her composure to defeat Baku Grand Slam runner-up Santa Pakenyte of Lithuania by ippon.