Super start for Korea at World Junior Championships

The first gold medal of the IJF Junior World Championships 2015 was claimed by South Korea as Lee Hyekyeong defeated Cadet World Championships bronze medallist Igarashi Riko (JPN) in the -44kg final. After a failed yoko-tomoe-nage attempt from Igarashi, Lee was able to unlock the defence of the Japanese fighter for a yuko score which was enough for top spot and Junior World Champions gold.

In the first semi-final Igarashi beat Junior European Championships bronze medallist Sitora Boymatova of Russia with a stylish display. The 16-year-old Japanese fighter scored two yukos to take control of the contest and held down her rival for 20 seconds and ippon. In the second semi-final Lee overcame former European Youth Olympic Festival winner and reigning Junior European Championships gold medallist Amber Gersjes of the Netherlands by the narrowest of margins. A shido against the Dutch judoka saw her relegated to the repechage.

The first bronze medal was won by 20-year-old Ganbaatar Narantsetseg (MGL) who converted her Asian Championships bronze into global honours in Abu Dhabi at the expense of beaten semi-finalist Gersjes. An explosive tani-otoshi received a yuko and that was difference for the Mongolian. The second bronze medal was awarded to Berlin Junior European Cup bronze medallist Rita Reis of Brazil who was a worthy winner against Boymatova with a second waza-ari from osaekomi-waza sealing her place on the podium.