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Former world leader Kelita Zupancic wins for Canada

Former world leader Kelita Zupancic wins for Canada

13 Sep 2014 18:05
by Mark Pickering - IJF
IJF Media Team / International Judo Federation

Canadian former world number one Kelita Zupancic won Zagreb Grand Prix gold as she defeated world bronze medallist Katarzyna KLYS (POL) in the -70kg final. ZUPANCIC, who impressively dealt with a tough draw, was unable to produce a score in the final but will still be delighted by her outing in Croatia which was settled on shido penalties. KLYS was second best as she was penalised three times for passivity while her adversary was penalised once for passivity and once for going out of the area.

In the first semi-final contest ZUPANCIC dashed the hopes of the home crowd by beating 19-year-old European bronze medallist Barbara MATIC (CRO). The Canadian went ahead with a yuko score from an ouchi-gari before engineering an opening for osaekomi-waza and promptly adjusted to hold MATIC down for 20 seconds. In the second semi-final KLYS bested world number five Sally CONWAY (GBR) in a hotly-contested battle of wills between two of the most highly-regarded judoka in the talent-laden category. KLYS had the edge as she produced two yuko scores while the industry of CONWAY was not enough to trouble the scoreboard.

The first bronze medal was claimed by Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix bronze medallist Maria PORTELA (BRA) who wrapped her right hand around the collar of her opponent, grabbed a leg and rolled over her back to sink in the shime-waza and CONWAY was beaten. The second bronze medal contest was won by MATIC who sent the fanatical home crowd into raptures by beating 21-year-old Junior World Championships bronze medallist Szaundra DIEDRICH (GER). MATIC threatened with ko-uchi-gake and applied pressure for the full four minutes as DIEDRICH was penalised three times for passivity to finish in fifth-place. 
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