Judoka Idalys Ortiz will fight today to obtain a bronze medal at the Judo World Championship

June 12, 2021

Cuban judoka Idalys Ortiz, Olympic champion in London 2012, will compete against Brazilian María Suelen Altheman for the bronze medal in the over 78 kilograms category of the World Judo Championship that concludes today.

Ortiz, number one in the world rankings, will fight to overcome the Brazilian once again to secure one of the third-place finishes in the category and open the medal tally for her country in the event.

The Cuban had a bye in the first round and then achieved three victories, over Polish Paula Kulaga and Russian Anzhela Gasparian, both by ippon, and later at the expense of French Julia Tolofua to win section A.

However, in the semifinals the world champion of the division in Rio de Janeiro 2013 and Chelyabinsk 2014 lost by wazari to Japanese Sarah Asahina, who had defeated her in the final of the universal championship in Azerbaijan 2018.

Asahina will compete for the title against her compatriot Wakaba Tomita, who won by knockout over Brazilian Beatriz Souza.