Dutch sensation Guusje Steenhuis produced a stunning performance to outclass Japan’s Akari Ogata in the final of the women’s under 78 kilo class at
ADVERTISEMENTDutch sensation Guusje Steenhuis produced a stunning performance to outclass Japan’s Akari Ogata in the final of the women’s under 78 kilo class at the Baku Grand Slam on Sunday.
The 22-year-old triumphed thanks to a perfectly executed harai-makikomi while Ukraine’s Svitlana Iaromka reigned supreme in the over 78 kilo category.
The Tbilisi Grand Prix silver medallist held Lithuania’s Santa Pakenyte with a kesa-gatame to win her country’s first gold in this year’s event.
In the men’s event, Japan’s Mashu Baker edged out Noel Van T End in the under 90 kilo final to claim his second Grand Slam gold medal.
The bronze medals were won by Italy’s Walter Facente and Joakim Dvarby of Sweden.
In the under 100 kilo category, local favourite Elmar Gasimov failed to give the home crowd something to cheer about as Russia’s Adlan Bisultanov proved unstoppable in the final.
Meanwhile Hungary’s Barna Bor sent a strong message to his rivals in the over 100 kilo class.
The World number 8 downed Aslan Kambiev of Russia in the semi-finals before carrying his momentum into the showpiece match with a win over Roy Meyer thanks to a late yuko.