(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Fawad Hussain/ The Peninsula
Eyeing the Tokyo Olympic Games, French World No.1 Clarisse Agbegnenou could not have asked for a better start to the new season as she clinched gold medal at the IJF World Judo Masters Doha 2021 that has brought together the best athletes on the planet.
The reigning European champion and quadruple world champion yesterday confirmed her status as the Tokoy Games gold medal favourite after a dominating performance in the under 63 kg category at state-of-the-art Lusail Multipurpose Hall.
The Rio silver medallist, after defeating Britain's Lucy Renshall (in the golden score), the Venezuelan Anriquelis Barrios (ippon) then the Austrian Magdalena Krssakova (ippon) defeated Japan's Nami Nabekura in the final.
'I am very happy because it was a really tough competition, Agbegnenou told reporters after collecting her gold medal.
'It is nice to start (the season) like that but I would keep in mind that I need to do a lot of work and to be ready for the Olympic Games, the 28-year-old added.
It was a close final and the two judokas were separated by the golden score, and Agbegnenou said she has gained a lot of confidence from her triumph in Qatar.
'I am already qualified for Olympics. I wanted this competition to see myself what I can do and assess myself to know what I need to work on. This event gave me confidence that I can put up my level and I can work on other things. I have good motivation and power so I have to stay like this. Definitely, I have to improve a lot and work on new techniques, she said.
The event is being staged under strict health safety measures but the Frenchwoman was happy with the level of organisation by the Qatari organisers.
'It is really hard what is happening to the world but Qatar is organsising this event really well. We wanted to see this country more and I hope we can see it in good times because it seems really beautiful, said Agbegnenou.
In yesterday's other women event, Japan's Yoko Ono won the under 70kg gold after defeating Russia's Madina Taimazova in the final. Ono dominated the final but Taimazova resisted well during normal time, but the golden score period was too much for the young Russian, who had to suffer a defeat by hold down in less than two minutes of golden score.
The medal winners in the women's under 70kg category pose with the officials.
Changrim keeps South Korea on top
Meanwhile, the South Koreans continued to shine in the men's field with 2018 world champion An Changrim claiming third gold medal for the country, following victories by Jin Won Kim and An Baul on the opening day.
Changrim met hot favourite Soichi Hashimoto of South Korea in the under 73kg final and after a close battle, the latter was disqualified for a dangerous technique.
The top opponents entered golden score after stalemate at the end of normal time.
Changrim An in action against Soichi Hashimoto during their final, yesterday.
Both the judokas continued to neutralise one another before Hashimoto was disqualified after 3 minutes and 43 seconds of extra time due to foul play, with Changrim emerging as the winner.
In under 81kg category, Tato Griglashvili gave Georgia their first gold medal after his victory over Dutchman Frank Dewit in the final.
South Korea continued to lead the medals table of Doha Masters 2021 a 2020 Tokyo Games qualifying event with three gold medals followed by Japan, who have won a couple of gold medals and 4 silver medals.
France are third with two gold medals besides a silver and bronze medal each. Kosovo (1 gold, 2 bronze) and Georgia (1 gold, 1 bronze) complete the top five countries in medals tale.
The three-day event will conclude today with five titles (3 men and 2 female) to be decided today as athletes hope to collect maximum qualifying points for Olympics.
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