Antalya Grand Slam 2024TürkiyeTurkish Judo FederationABUZHAKYNOVA AbibaTSUNODA NatsumiERSIN SilaGANBAATAR Narantsetseg

-48kg: Who Else Other Than a Three-Time World Champion?

Mar 29, 2024
by: Nicolas Messner, Jo Crowley
Emanuele Di Feliciantonio, Tamara Kulumbegashvili
The tournament could not have begun under better conditions for the host country, as from the first final of the day, the Turkish national anthem had the chance to resonate in the Antalya Sport Hall, after the very good performance of Sila Ersin. Ranked 33rd in the world, Ersin actually had a faultless run, coming out of a half-draw where there were athletes such as world number one Assunta Scutto (ITA), Sabina Giliazova (AIN), Narantsetseg Ganbaatar ( MGL) and Baasankhuu Bavuudorj (MGL), all ranked higher than her on Olympic and World Ranking Lists.
Ersin (TUR) wins the semi-final.
Ersin (TUR) wins the semi-final.

In front of her audience, it was ultimately Ersin who made the best impression and would earn, whatever the final result, valuable points. She won on penalties in the first round and then threw the athlete from Hong Kong with ura-nage. Against Scutto, the current world number one, she threw with tsuri-koshi in golden score; the crowd erupted and rightly so, it was a huge win. Giliazova (AIN) was her prey in the quarter-final and Ganbaatar was at a loss in the semi-final.

Ersin happy to win in front of her home crowd.
Ersin happy to win in front of her home crowd.

In the second half of the draw, things were more in line with the reality of the ranking list, since the world number three, three-time and reigning world champion Natsumi Tsunoda (JPN) qualified to face Ersin, without really being endangered, during her preliminary contests.

Natsumi Tsunoda (JPN) winning her semi-final against Abuzhakynova (KAZ).
Natsumi Tsunoda (JPN) winning her semi-final against Abuzhakynova (KAZ).

This final between an outsider strongly supported by her public and a favourite Japanese judoka promised to be very interesting. The result was actually known quickly though, Tsunoda throwing her opponent with a tomoe-nage for waza-ari and keeping the arm under control, she pinned her down immediately before concluding with an armlock. Yes, today there were two different levels, between Tsunoda and Ersin, but this silver medal for the Turkish judoka is so promising for the future. Today she learned a lot while the gold medal was for Tsunoda.

Final, Sila ersin (TUR) vs Natsumi Tsunoda (JPN)
Final, Sila ersin (TUR) vs Natsumi Tsunoda (JPN)

The first bronze medal was contested by Sabina Giliazova (AIN) and Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ). The Kazakh, 3rd seed in Antalya, had looked extremely robust during the morning session, throwing with ashi-waza, kaeshi-waza and sutemi-waza, unafraid to employ all techniques in her arsenal. Only Tsunoda put her under any pressure at all. The result was eventually decided with penalties, as Giliazova received her third shido during the golden score period. This medal confirms the good form shown by Abuzhakynova during the day.

Gold medallist, Natsumi Tsunoda (JPN)
Gold medallist, Natsumi Tsunoda (JPN)
Bronze medal contest, Natasha Ferreira (BRA) vs Narantsetseg Ganbaatar (MGL)
Bronze medal contest, Natasha Ferreira (BRA) vs Narantsetseg Ganbaatar (MGL)
Bronze medal contest, Sabina Giliazova (AIN) vs Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ)
Bronze medal contest, Sabina Giliazova (AIN) vs Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ)

For the second bronze medal we had to wait for the result of the contest between Natasha Ferreira (BRA) and Narantsetseg Ganbaatar (MGL). If the first half of the contest was quite balanced, both judoka being unable to throw but showing commitment, the second half was clearly to the advantage of Ganbaatar who scored a first waza-ari with uchi-mata and a second with a sumi-gaeshi. The bronze medal headed to Mongolia.

Medals, cheques and flowers were presented by Mr Fatih Uysal, Deputy General Manager of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Türkiye, and Mr Sezer Huysuz, President of the Turkish Judo Federation and EJU Sport Director
Medals, cheques and flowers were presented by Mr Fatih Uysal, Deputy General Manager of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Türkiye, and Mr Sezer Huysuz, President of the Turkish Judo Federation and EJU Sport Director

Competition Results

-48 kg

Final

Sila ERSIN
TUR
vs
Natsumi TSUNODA
JPN

Bronze Medal Contests

Sabina GILIAZOVA
RUS
vs
Abiba ABUZHAKYNOVA
KAZ
Natasha FERREIRA
BRA
vs
Narantsetseg GANBAATAR
MGL
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