France is leading the medal tally in Minsk at the EJU World Cup. The French were dominant in the U57kg category where Barbara Harel and Caroline Lantoine reached the final. 32-year old Harel won by ippon and won gained her 6th World Cup in her career. In total she now has 17 World Cup medals. It was her second World Cup medal this year including the bronze at the Grand Slam of Paris in February.
Lantoine was close to her first World Cup win in this category. She changed to this category last year, finished third at the French Championships but wasn’t able to win a World Cup medal. She was part of the French team last week at the Open European Championships winning the silver as well.
To be complete, Audrey La Rizza (FRA) took the bronze in this category together with Zhanna Stankevich (RUS).
Under 52kg Emilie Lafont (FRA) won the gold defeating Marta Kuban from Poland. Lafont is in good shape winning bronze in Birmingham last month and the Swiss Open earlier this year.
23-Year old Natalia Kondrateva (RUS) won the gold in the lightweight category. The World junior runner up of 2004 beat home favourite Volha Leshchanka (BLR) by yuko and celebrated her first World Cup victory in her career.