A 7:21 Gripping Duel Crowns Tsunoda Roustant

Ai Tsunoda Roustant of Spain claimed her first senior world title in the -70 kg final, defeating Austria’s Michaela Polleres at the World Championships in Baku. The contest was a demanding tactical battle that ran for 7 minutes and 21 seconds before the decisive final penalty went against Polleres.

Both finalists had impressed in the preliminary rounds, but their approaches on the tatami were notably different. Polleres, a double Olympic medallist, became Austria’s first world championship finalist since Ludwig Paischer took silver in Cairo in 2005. Tsunoda Roustant arrived in the final as another major chance for Spain, which had already collected two silvers and a bronze in Baku.

The gold-medal contest became an intense study in kumi-kata. Each judoka worked to deny the other preferred grips while still finding ways to attack, and the early penalties reflected how closely they cancelled each other out. Neither athlete gave away much, making the outcome difficult to call until the closing stages.

Tsunoda Roustant held her nerve through a final decided by penalties.

When the last penalty was awarded to Polleres after 7:21, Tsunoda Roustant had secured Spain’s new world champion. Polleres left with a huge silver medal for Austria after a final in which both athletes pushed relentlessly for control.

Afterwards, Tsunoda Roustant described the title as an incredible feeling and highlighted the role of her family in her career. She specifically thanked her father, with whom she has trained for many years, as well as her mother, brother and husband.

Germany also celebrated a medal through Giovanna Scoccimarro, who defeated Brazil’s Nauana Silva in the first bronze-medal contest. Scoccimarro controlled much of the gripping phase and stayed active, though Silva repeatedly threatened with Seoi-otoshi. In a busy exchange, the German countered Silva for Yuko, the only score of the contest.

That result delivered Germany’s first medal in Baku after Mascha Ballhaus and Seija Ballhaus had both finished fifth on earlier days. In the other bronze-medal contest, Madina Taimazova of Russia defeated Serbia’s Aleksandra Andric. Taimazova scored at the halfway point and managed the remainder of the contest as Andric received two penalties, earning her a second senior world bronze medal.

The final -70 kg podium placed Tsunoda Roustant ahead of Polleres, with Scoccimarro and Taimazova sharing bronze.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation