Andreea Chitu takes gold medal at GP Jeju

World silver medallist Andreea Chitu of Romania reigned at the Grand Prox of Jeju as the Romanian star was unmatched on day one in the U52kg category.

Chitu met a new opponent in the final as she was matched up against former Junior World Championships bronze medallist Uchio Mako of Japan. Japan have sent a 12-strong youthful team replete with accomplished juniors bidding to make an impression in South Korea. Grand Prix debutant Uchio was caught with a lethal piece of ashi-waza in the final with 94 seconds remaining as Chitu showed her class and now moves on to Japan for the season-ending Tokyo Grand Slam.

In the first semi-final Chitu bested Olympic bronze medallist Priscilla Gneto (FRA) by ippon with 31 seconds remaining in a highly-competitive contest which showed why both judoka are among the -52kg elite. In the second semi-final France’s second -52kg competitor Annabelle Euranie (FRA) was surprised by Uchio Mako (JPN) as the former faded in the final minute as she visibly tired in the closing stages against the Japanese youngster. Uchio prevailed on shido penalties 1:2 to move into the final on her first appearance at this level.

The first bronze medal was clinched by Tyumen Grand Slam bronze medallist Roni Schwartz (ISR) who narrowly defeated Euranie. Schwartz led by a yuko and that margin was maintained until the time elapsed as the Israeli won her third Grand Prix bronze medal. The second bronze medal was won by world number 11 Gneto as Taipei Asian Open bronze medallist Kim Mi-Ri (KOR) was penalised four times to receive hansoku-make.