Margaux Pinot grabs gold in her new category U63kg in Samsun

For the first time since February 2012 Margaux Pinot captured a gold medal in the category U63kg. For three years she had been fighting U70kg but switched recently with success. She looks sharp and built up her way to this success via a bronze medal in Buenos Aires three weeks ago, and now gold at a Grand Prix which she never achieved U70kg. Although the Olympic Games is out of the question, with her 22 years Tokyo 2020 is still and fully in her sight.

Also Clarisse Agbegnenou is just 23 and the world’s number two in this moment, she has the time to find the confidence in this category and today helps a lot.

Today in Samsun started well with a victory against Spanish Isabel Puche of Spain, her first minutes of 22 in total. Korean Bak and Chinese Yang were caught by penalties and in the semi final the tall Mia Hermansson of Sweden was defeated by ippon. In the final against Brazilian Mariana Silva both athletes couldn’t impress the referee for a score. In the final score after another four minutes it was the Brazilian who was awarded with a penalty which meant gold for Margaux Pinot.

For Silva it was also an essential silver medal as she likely convinced the Brazilian technical staff to invite her for the Olympic Games at home in Brazil. With Pan American Championships ahead, Silva can once more gain a lot of points and even get closer to qualification for the IJF World Masters in Guadalajara in Mexico. Pinot picks up a welcome and motivating gold medal in Samsun. Five woman have now won an IJF Tour gold medal: Agbegnenou (11), Emane (6), Bellard (1), Pruvost (1) and Pinot (1).