Clarisse Agbegnenou back at highest podium

French former World Champion Clarisse Agbegnenou continued her incredible hot-streak having medalled at every IJF event since 2013. Agbegnenou, 23, who is eying her first Olympic Games next year in Rio, defeated Paris Grand Slam bronze medallist Martyna Trajdos of Germany by ippon in just 61 seconds.

In the first semi-final World silver medallist Agbegnenou was victorious against 2013 world champion Yarden Gerbi wither her IJF backnumber for this hopefully one-time occassion. The French star threw her long-time adversary but yet close friend with a ura-nage for waza-ari before adding a yuko with the same technique. Gerbi failed to score and was relegated to the repechage. In the second semi-final Trajdos defeated former Tyumen Grand Slam silver medallist Ekaterina Valkova of Russia. The in-form world number four held down her opponent for 15 seconds with a kuzure-kesa-gatame having led by a waza-ari.

The first bronze medal was won by Baku Grand Slam bronze medallist Anicka Van Emden (NED) who was too strong for Valkova. The Russian was penalised twice for passivity which was decisive after four minutes in a scoreless contest as Van Emden won the 12th Grand Slam medal of her career. The second bronze medal was won by Gerbi who threw Paris Grand Slam silver medallist Juul Franssen (NED) with a beautiful uchi-mata for ippon after 54 seconds, good revenge for her.