www.judoinside.com11/05
2023 World Junior Champ Kim Minju wins first Grand Slam
In the final U78kg in Astana Izumi and Kim faced off for the gold medal with the latter out-attacking Izumi right from the start. However the attacks lacked rotation and she put herself at risk of earning penalties instead of scores. The pace of attack certainly put Izumi off her stride and the Japanese judoka was given her first shido for non-combativity. Kim learned from the situation and added more and more rotation to her attacks until one produced the desired outcome, propelling Izumi on to her side for a yuko. Minju Kim, a recent Tokyo Grand Slam and Asian championship medallist, sat at the top of the draw at the beginning of day 3 in Astana.
