Day three in Tbilisi has delivered on every level: an array of great technical moments, emotions, surprises. Current European champion Ozbas Szofi (HUN) arrived as the number two seed and therefore had the aim of exceeding her ranking with a sparkling championship performance. She completed the tasks she set herself for the preliminary block and reached the final without disturbance.
Twenty-one year old Melkia Auchecorne (FRA), already a double junior world champion, is beginning to take big strides into the senior competition sphere. She flew through the early rounds and in the final looked ready to cause Ozbas, the incumbent champion, some problems. Ozbas, however, was too well prepared. As Auchecorne attacked in the first exchange, with little set-up, the Hungarian capitalised on the floor, turning and holding her. Ozbas has well and truly arrived at -70 kg. She had a successful period at -63 kg but is now among the biggest names at -70 kg too.
In the first bronze medal contest, double world silver medallist Lara Cvjetko (CRO), having lost to Madina Taimazova (RUS) in their quarter-final, was up against the current junior world champion April Lynn Fohouo (SUI). Cvjetko put a yuko on the board early and Fohouo struggled to solve the gripping to get back into the match.
Just inside the last minute of normal time, Fohouo regained composure and equalised and with that went into golden score, ahead penalty-wise. A minute later she used a sasae-style movement to throw Cvjetko for ippon. The 20-year-old Swiss athlete has her first senior milestone medal.
The second bronze medal contest brought Olympic and world medallist Madina Taimazova (RUS) and double European medallist Elisavet Teltsidou (GRE) together under the lights of the Olympic Palace. At first it looked as though it might be a tight one but Taimazova had other plans and as the first minute ticked by she threw for a yuko and landed in the perfect position to secure the “osaekomi” call quickly. Ippon was given and the medal was hers. This was a great performance, adding a 4th senior European medal to her CV.
Author: Jo Crowley