Cuban legend Idalys Ortiz wins maiden Paris crown
Cuban legend Idalys Ortiz added a new title to her medal cabinet by beating Tel Aviv Grand Prix gold medallist Iryna Kindzerska (AZE) to the women’s heavyweight gold medal. Ortiz reigned Supreme in the +78kg category by a waza-ari score to earn her second Grand Slam title and add to her masses of Olympic and world medals as one of the most decorated active judoka in the sport.
In the first semi-final Ortiz saw off 2018 Paris Grand Slam winner Kim Minjeong (KOR) by ippon while in the second semi-final World Judo Masters winner Sone Akira (JPN) was shocked by Kindzerska who prevailed by ippon.
The first bronze medal was claimed by Sone who held her nerve to come back from a surprise semi-final defeat to beat Olympic bronze medallist Anamari Velensek (SLO) by a waza-ari score for her fifth Grand Slam medal at just 18 years old.
The second bronze medal contest was won by Kim who pinned down Tel Aviv Grand Prix silver medallist Yelyzaveta Kalanina (UKR) after a makikomi effort to add to her country’s day two medal haul.
Result | City | Date |
---|---|---|
2 | Paris | 30 Jul |
1 | Abu Dhabi | 21 May |
1 | Zagreb | 26 Apr |
3 | Belgrade | 2023 |
2 | Montpellier | 2023 |