It’s an olympic tournament. Let’s get the rainbow colors that the IOC loves. Not one country, but Japan (2 fighters), qualified several athletes for the final. But still, many big names will be on stage on Sunday with Araga (-84 kg), Ganjzadeh (+84 kg), Heurtault (-61 kg), Zaretska (-68 kg) and Uekusa (+68 kg).
By L.Mauchien et F.Fournier à Berlin / Photo : Kphotos
-84 kg : Yuldashev pull up an upset
We were expecting Araga, the world's number one. He is at the rendezvous. On the other hand, we did not expect Kazak Yuldashev, world number 16. The latter, coached by the Frenchman Tareq Abdesselem, first played the Italian Maestri (1-0) and the Dutchman Timmermans (3-1) before leaving the Turkish Aktas in ¼ (8-5). In the semi-finals, he won the silver of the Iranian Poorshab (4-2) to give himself the right to face Sunday in the final the Japanese Araga, winner of Petersen in the other semi final (3-0).
Elkotby of Egypt lost in the first round to Canadian Sinani (1-0) while Azerbaijan Mamayev in the third round (3-1). On the French side, Kenji Grillon lost in 8th against Poorshab (5-0) and Jessie Da Costa lost to Araga in the second round (3-3).
Three other Frenchmen were engaged with their club. Sally Diop (CSMP) lost in the first round against the Corbalan Dane (7-6). Mehdi Cecina (Vernon) lost in the second round to Congo (3-3) and Farouk Abdelessem (Arles) lost in the second round to Aktas (2-1).
Finale : Yuldashev (Kaz) vs Araga (Jap)
Bronze : J. Da Costa (Fra) vs Petersen (PB) and Aktas (Tur) vs Poorshab (Ira)
+84 kg: The old guard makes the rendezvous
Exit the youngsters ! They will have to wait a little longer. Serious things have begun. The ancients do not joke anymore. The final will oppose Georgia’s Arkania against Iran’s Ganjzadeh. The tireless Arkania, who beat France’s Mehdi Filali in the second round (2-1), Atamov of Azerbaijan (1-0) in the ¼ finals, dominated Germany’s Jonathan Horne in the semi finals (3 -1). The latter was however very strong until then. For his part, Ganjzadeh, winner of Nishevci (Kos) in the quarter-finals, beat Croatia’s Kvesic in the semi-finals (4-3).
Final : Arkania (Geo) vs Ganjzadeh (Ira)
Bronze : Atamov (Aze) vs Horne (Ger) and Nishevci (Kos) vs Kvesic (Cro)
-61 kg : Alexandra Grande was big !
We should see an « imperial » final on Sunday as both finalists were imperial today in Berlin. Alexandra Grande, who was registered under the WKF banner, was just in a big day. In the quarter finals, the Peruvian fighter, dominated France’s Lucie Ignace (4-0) and, in the semi finals, another French girl, Gwendoline Philippe, on the same score. On her side, France’s Leila Heurtault was also impressive, especially in the semifinal against Egypt’s Lofty (5-3 win). China's Yin Xiao Yan, the World No. 1, was beaten in her first match by Spain's Espinosa (1-0).
Finale : Heurtault (Fra) vs Grande (WKF, Per)
Bronze : Moriguchi (Jap) vs Philippe (Fra) and Lofty (Egy) vs Jumaa (Can)
-68 kg : Irina Zaretska in final
Among the favorites of the category, the reigning European champion, Elena Quirici of Switzerland, lost 5-0 in the semifinal against Irina Zaretska of Azerbaijan. The latter will face the Turkish Eda Eltemur in the final.
France’s Alizee Agier, the 2014 World champion, lost at the 1st round against Turkey’s Eltemur. But he will not fight for the bronze as she lost in repechages against Kopunova (3-0).
Final : Zaretska (Aze) vs Eltemur (Tur)
Bronze : Semeraro (Ita) vs Kopunova (Svk) and Quirici (Swi) vs Someya (Jap)
+68kg : Uekusa once again
The undisputed World n°1 in the category, Japan’s Ayumi Uekusa convincingly begins the Olympic race. She won in the semifinal 2-1 against her compatriot Ayaka Saito. In the final, Italy’s Clio Ferracuti will stand on her way. The Italian champion beat Spain's Laura Palacio in a hung-in semi-final (1-1, senshu).
France's great medal hope, The European champion Anne-Laure Florentin lost against China's MengMeng (2-1).
Final : Uekusa (Jap) vs Feraccuti (Ita)
Bronze : Hocaoglu (Tur) vs Palacio Gonzalez (Spa) and Aboualyazed (Egy) vs Saito (Jap)
