Ai Shishime wins the Masters at her first attempt

Former world champion Shishime Ai of Japan defeated world number one Amandine Buchard (FRA) to win World Judo Masters gold as she holds on to her feint hope of selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Shishime, who is behind double world champion Abe Uta (JPN) in the Japanese pecking order, made sure that Buchard ended her day on the losing side of a Masters final for the third time.

The Frenchwoman, who came into the invite-only event on the back of winning the Osaka Grand Slam, failed with an uchi-mata and was rolled over for a waza-ari score after five minutes of additional time. 

In the first semi-final Olympic silver medallist Odette Giuffrida (ITA) lost the longest contest of the preliminary rounds against Buchard after six minutes and 37 seconds of added time. A waza-ari for the French judoka was the difference after a nervy encounter between two of the world’s elite in the U52kg category.

In the second semi-final Olympic bronze medallist Natalia Kuziutina (RUS) could not stop the run of Shishime who prevailed with a trademark uchi-mata.

The first bronze medal was awarded to world number 30 Diyora Keldiyorova (UZB) who stunned Kuziutina. Uzbekistan’s Keldiyorova upset the most prolific medallist in Russia’s women’s team by dropping under the veteran for a seoi-nage and spectacular ippon. Keldiyorova and her coach were all smiles after they united to bring home a first Masters medal from Uzbekistan’s fast-rising women’s team.

The second bronze medal was won by world number 20 Astride Gneto (FRA) after Giuffrida was reprimanded for dropping in golden score which was her third penalty. Gneto secured her first Masters honour with a battling display as Italian Giuffrida, who was troubled by an abrasion under her right eye, was again guilty of picking up too many shidos.