Marhinde Verkerk grabs motivating gold

World number six Marhinde Verkerk of the Netherlands won a battle of former world champions as she defeated London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Mayra Aguiar of Brazil in the U78kg final. Brazil’s only previous medal in Abu Dhabi came on day one as Erika Miranda (BRA) took silver as the 13-strong team from South America were frustrated on all three days.

Aguiar went close to taking the lead with a de-ashi-barai attack before both judoka received two shidos apiece to move into golden score. In added time Verkerk reigned as she was quick to apply a koshi-jime strangle on the ground and her Brazilian opponent had no choice but to tap out.

The first semi-final matched London 2012 Olympic bronze medallists Mayra Aguiar against each other Audrey Tcheumeo (FRA). Aguiar was able to subdue her French rival with a yuko while the second semi-final was an all-Dutch affair. Verkerk bested two-time Grand Slam winner and countrywoman Guusje Steenhuis by shido penalties (1:2).

The first bronze medal was won by Steenhuis who threw former Moscow Grand Slam runner-up Purevjargal Lkhamdegd (MGL) for ippon after exactly 100 seconds with a harai-goshi which started just inside the area. The second bronze medal contest was won by two-time Grand Slam winner Joo Abigel (HUN) after world number two Tcheumeo was penalised for the fourth and final time in the last second for going out. Tcheumeo was leading by a yuko and stepped out of the area in the last action of the contest to receive hansoku-make and award the bronze medal to the Hungarian Joo.