The 20-year-old defeated world silver medallist Miki Tanaka of Japan in the final at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa with a harai-makikomi which yielded a yuko, to add to the gold medals she has already won this year at the Paris Grand Slam, Dusseldorf Grand Prix and European Championships.

The first bronze medal in the category also went to France, as London 2012 bronze medallist Gevrise Emane defeated Rio Grand Prix champion Mariana Barros of Brazil with a powerful uchi-mata, whilst pan-American champion Maricet Espinosa took the other bronze with a victory over Baku Grand Slam bronze medallist Marijana Miskovic.

There was also a gold medal for the host nation, as Olympic bronze medallist Marti Malloy overcame Hedvig Karakas of Hungary in the women's -57kg with an enthusiastic home crowd behind her, forcing her opponent into a juji-gatame to take the title.

America's Marti Molloy (right) took victory over Hedvig Karakas (left ) of Hungary to take gold 

"When I heard there was going to be a Grand Prix on home soil, I wanted gold," said Malloy following her victory.

"This is all I've thought about.

"I wanted a win on home soil.

"I've been training very hard for this tournament for the last few months.

"I wanted to hear the National Anthem, and I wanted US supporters to hear it on home soil.

"It was great to be on the mat and to hear everyone cheer to USA.

"It is amazing to feel that support, and I am very proud."

Jovana Rogic of Serbia took the first bronze in the same category with a victory over French national champion Helene Receveaux with an osoto-gari for ippon, whilst Britain's Connie Ramsay was overpowered by Baku Grand Slam champion Miryam Roper of Germany, who took the other bronze medal.

There was a bronze medal for Britain however, as Ashley McKenzie defeated former European silver medallist Ludovic Chammartin of Switzerland, throwing him for ippon to take the men's -60kg bronze.

(left to right) Mens -60kg gold medallist Kherlen Ganbold, silver medallist Eric Takabatake and bronze medallists Breno Alves and Ashley McKenzie

Up-and-coming Mongolian judoka Kherlen Ganbold took gold with a victory by means of a waza-ari which was awarded for a uchi-mata against South American champion Eric Takabatake of Brazil, as another Brazilian, Rio Grand Slam bronze medallist Breno Alves took the other bronze medal with a victory over Canada's Sergio Pessoa.

Elsewhere in the men's draw, there were gold medals for Abdula Abdulzhalilov of Russia, who defeated compatriot Yakub Shamilov in the -66kg final, and Belgian Dirk Van Tichelt who defeated London 2012 silver medallist Mikos Ungvari of Hungary in the -73kg final.

In the women's events, the other gold medals were won by Yanet Bermoy Acosta of Cuba, who defeated Priscilla Gneto of France in the -52kg final, and London 2012 bronze medallist Eva Csernoviczki saw off 20-year-old Brazilian Nathalia Brigida to win the -48kg final.

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