Second consecutive victory for Israelian Linda Bolder

Samsun Grand Prix winner Linda BOLDER (ISR) won her second Grand Prix title of the year as Glasgow European Open winner Sally CONWAY (GBR) had to settle for silver. BOLDER chopped down her opponent wish ashi-waza and applied osaekomi after countering the ne-waza efforts of her highly-regarded rival. Both judoka will expect today’s results to steer them towards bigger wins and closer to the summit of the -70kg category.

BOLDER said: “I am delighted to medal again. I’ll be in Baku aiming to pick up another medal and give me the best possible chance of qualifying for the World Judo Masters.”

In the first semi-final contest BOLDER defeated Tbilisi Grand Prix winner Szaundra DIEDRICH (GER). The young German judoka was penalised with a shido for dropping before her opponent was held accountable for going out of the area. BOLDER pulled away with a waza-ari score as DIEDRICH left herself exposed from a failed attack and the former utilised her upper body power to send the German down for the score. In the second semi-final CONWAY was on form as she defeated world bronze medallist Katarzyna KLYS (POL) with a juji-gatame. The Bristol-born fighter always comes into her own on the ground and is a natural finisher when there is any chance to attack on the ground.

The first bronze medal was claimed by top seed Kelita ZUPANCIC (CAN) who inflicted a second consecutive defeat for KLYS. A harai-goshi from the Canadian was blocked but her Polish opponent could not stop a driving uchi-mata which was enough for a waza-ari. The second bronze medal contest was won by Prague European Open winner Fanny Estelle POSVITE (FRA) as DIEDRICH was on the losing side once more. POSVITE led with a waza-ari score and added a second in osaekomi with 90 seconds left on the clock.