Ida Eriksson’s first grand prix gold medal (Photo IJF)
The final of the women’s -70 kg category at the Grand Prix in Lima stayed true to expectations, featuring the two top seeds after a day that unfolded largely according to form.
Italian Giorgia Stangherlin and Swede Ida Eriksson displayed control and precision throughout their preliminary rounds, managing their sections of the draw effectively to reach the gold medal contest.
It was a very balanced final, with Stangherlin’s left-handed stance and Eriksson’s right-handed grip cancelling out most attacking opportunities.
The contest seemed destined for golden score until a brief lapse on the edge of the tatami proved decisive. Believing herself already outside the contest area, Stangherlin relaxed for a split second, just enough for Eriksson to pull her into an counterattack that earned yuko.
The throw had started inside the contest area, making the score valid. It marked Ida Eriksson’s first grand prix gold medal.
The final of the women’s -63 kg category saw Brazilian Nauana Silva taking on Canadian Jessica Klimkait. Unfortunately for Silva, the contest quickly turned in Klimkait’s favour.
The Canadian executed one of her trademark drop shoulder techniques, the same that earned her both a world title and an Olympic medal. It was clean, sharp and decisive: ippon and gold for Klimkait.
The final block in the men’s – 73 kg category brought together a mix of established names and breakthrough performers after a day full of upsets and bold judo. With Olympic and world medallists falling earlier in the competition, new opportunities emerged for those ready to seize their moment. The final saw Brazilian Daniel Cargnin taking on Dayyan Boulemtafes of France.
Against the world and Olympic medallist, Dayyan Boulemtafes once again faced a tough and experienced opponent. True to the approach that had carried him through the day, he stayed calm, confident and unafraid to attack, launching varied movements in multiple directions.
Cargnin, less active, received a first shido with under a minute to go, and soon after a second for a gripping infringement.
The Brazilian was under heavy pressure. Yet, with only seconds remaining on the clock, he produced a sharp action–reaction sequence to score yuko. It was a narrow escape, but enough to secure his first grand prix gold medal and a superb silver for Boulemtafes, who had the contest firmly in his grasp until the end.
The men’s -81 kg category was a contest between Johan Silot of the USA and Serbian Mihajlo Simin.
It took until the halfway point of the contest for Simin to open the scoring with an ippon-ko-uchi-gari for yuko. Energised by that advantage, he continued to press on the ground, freeing his leg after some clever groundwork to secure a first waza-ari hold, which he followed up seconds later with another for the win. A powerful and composed display earned the Serbian his first grand prix gold medal.
Final Results
Women’s -63 kg
1. KLIMKAIT Jessica (CAN)
2. SILVA Nauana (BRA)
3. STOLZE Friederike (GER)
3. KAJZER Kaja (SLO)
5. DRID Rania (FRA)
5. SILVA Rafaela (BRA)
7. RUSSO Savita (ITA)
7. FAVORINI Flavia (ITA)
Women’s -70 kg
1. ERIKSSON Ida (SWE)
2. STANGHERLIN Giorgia (ITA)
3. BOCK Samira (GER)
3. PEDROTTI Irene (ITA)
5. SCOCCIMARRO Giovanna (GER)
5. SCHUSTER Kaja (SLO)
7. FRONER Ellen (BRA)
7. NOVITSKY Adelina (ISR)
Men’s -73 kg
1. CARGNIN Daniel (BRA)
2. BOULEMTAFES Dayyan (FRA)
3. STUMP Nils (SUI)
3. KARIMOV Chusniddin (CZE)
5. VALERIANI Leonardo (ITA)
5. GOGINASHVILI Irakli (GBR)
7. MAMMADALIYEV Rashid (AZE)
7. YONEZUKA Jack (USA)
Men’s -81 kg
1. SIMIN Mihajlo (SRB)
2. SILOT Johan (USA)
3. FALCAO Gabriel (BRA)
3. RAJABLI Omar (AZE)
5. IHANAMAKI Eetu (FIN)
5. SVIDRAK Mykhailo (UKR)
7. DEL ORBE CORTORREAL Medickson (DOM)
7. MADDALONI NOSA Bright (ITA)
