-44 kg: Akhtiamova Wins Her First Global Title

Nothing was going to plan in the top part of the draw! However, there were upsets further down too. All remaining top seeds were also beaten either in or on the way to the quarter-final stages. The -44 kg category played with all predications!

Final: Sema Nur Yuksel (TUR) vs Regina Akhtiamova RUS)

Sema Nur Yuksel had just seen her teammate walk away empty-handed from a bronze medal contest that played out ahead of her final. She was determined not to follow suit, losing her own medal fight, and so she worked! It was not an easy opponent to face; Akhtiamova was strong and awkward and had ensured a robust strategy against her.

At the 4-minute mark, Yuksel had collected two penalties but she didn’t let it faze her. Another four minutes passed but Regina Akhtiamova preparation paid off. She locked a sankaku in place and secured a 5-second pin for the gold.

As the final concluded, Regina Akhtiamova said, “I feel immense joy and, above all, deep gratitude towards everyone who contributed to this victory; I couldn't have achieved it without them. Facing such a tough opponent in a long fight that went to golden score, my mindset and strategy were simple: to win at all costs. I’m so grateful to my coaches who guiding me every step of the way.”

Bronze medal contest: Amin-Erdene Tsogbadrakh (MGL) vs Julia Błaszczyk (POL)

This was a nail-biting encounter from beginning to end, no scores arriving but so many threatening throughout the first 3 minutes and 45 seconds. With just 15 seconds to go though, Błaszczyk made a crucial decision and attacked with an-o-uchi-gari in the perfect moment. The yuko popped up on the board and there was nothing more Tsogbadrakh could do.

Bronze medal contest: Yagmur Yilmazturk (TUR) vs Alina Kolucheva (UZB)

At first Yagmur Yilmazturk struggled against Alina Kolucheva’s strong top grip but as the time passed she learned to solve the situation and all became more even. As the fourth minute ended each competitor had two penalties but either could still have won, the run of play shining in neither direction.

A minute and a half of extra time was needed to separate them. It was an o-uchi-gari attempt from Yilmazturk that gave Kolucheva the opportunity to counter superbly for a waza-ari. This bronze medal would be heading to Uzbekistan.