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Kayla Harrison checks Masters title on her bucket list

Kayla Harrison checks Masters title on her bucket list

24 May 2015 19:35
by Mark Pickering - IJF
IJF Media Team / International Judo Federation

One title that was missing on the list of Kayla Harrison was the Masters title. That wish became now reality by taking the gold in Rabat. In the final, Harrison pressed from the start and there was a sense of inevitability when she threw British Natalie Powell for ippon after 94 seconds. The victory maintains the American’s command of the category while a career-best result for Powell, who became the first British woman to win a World Masters medal, will bolster her bid to be selected for Rio 2016.

A final between ever dangerous enemy Audrey Tcheumeo and Kayla Harrison was expected in Rabat, but only the American could make it to the final, the French being surprisingly defeated by Natalie Powell in quarter-final, after having been disqualified for a direct leg grab. With only a second place in Samsun this year, being in the final already represent a fantastic achievement for The Briton.

The first bronze medal fight saw the 2011 world champion Tcheumeo facing the winner of the Baku Grand Slam, Guusje Steenhuis (NED), at the beginning of the year. French Tcheumeo earned a place on the podium by waza-ari after four minutes of action.

 

In the second bronze medal fight, Luise Mzalzahn was opposed to the second Dutch athlete of the category, Marhinde Verkerk and the German fighter was able to secure the win in 29 seconds by ippon.

 

Kayla Harrison makes her move in the IJF World Ranking and jumps to place two, just behind Audrey Tcheumeo who is again the best U78kg for the 8th time, improving the points of Mayra Aguiar who is secure for an Olympic position in Rio.

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