Russia's Irina Dolgova was among the winners on the opening day of the IJF Grand Prix in Agadir ©IJF

Russia’s Irina Dolgova earned victory on the opening day of the International Judo Federation Agadir Grand Prix in Morocco.

The 48 kilogram competitor was among the favourites at the Sports Hall Al Inbiaat, with the Russian boasting two Abu Dhabi Grand Slam titles to her name.

Dolgova emerged through the early rounds of the competition before battling to a golden score win over Spain’s Julia Figueroa in the semi-finals.

Having come through the tightly fought bout, Dolgova took full advantage by earning a waza-ari score victory over Portugal’s Catarina Costa in the final.

Figueroa bounced back from her semi-final loss by overcoming Israel’s Shira Rishony in the first bronze medal match.

Russia’s Marusa Stangar beat Rishony’s team-mate Noa Minsker to complete the podium.

Switzerland's Evelyne Tschopp won the women's under-52kg gold medal with victory in the final over Romania's Alexandra-Iarisa Florian on the opening day of the IJF Grand Prix in Agadir ©IJF
Switzerland's Evelyne Tschopp won the women's under-52kg gold medal with victory in the final over Romania's Alexandra-Iarisa Florian on the opening day of the IJF Grand Prix in Agadir ©IJF

Switzerland’s Evelyne Tschopp clinched victory in the women’s under-52kg competition after she saw off the challenge of Romania’s Alexandra-Iarisa Florian.

The Swiss judoka prevailed by an ippon score to clinch the gold medal.

An ippon proved enough for Turkmenistan’s Gulbadam Babamuratova to beat Israel’s Irem Korkmaz in the first bronze medal match in the division.

The second saw Gefen Primo claim a waza-ari win over Betina Temelkova in an all-Israeli clash.

Israel’s major success of the opening day came in the women’s under-57kg division, with Timna Nelson Levy taking the gold medal.

She earned a waza-ari against Slovenia’s Kaja Kajzer, which ultimately proved enough to secure victory in the final women’s event of the day.

The host nation were denied a bronze medal when France’s Sarah Harachi beat Morocco’s Soumiya Iraoui by an ippon.

Panama’s Miryam Roper triumphed in the same manner against France’s Lisa Marchese to complete the medal positions.

Kazakhstan’s Gusman Kyrgyzbayev prevailed in the first men’s event of the day, beatng Turkey’s Bekir Özlü with a waza-ari in the under-60kg final.

Portugal’s Goncalo Mansinho and Morocco’s Issam Bassou secured ippon victories in their bronze medal bouts against Germany’s Moritz Plafky and  Morocco’s Yassine Moudatir respectively.

Slovenia's Adrian Gomboc won the men's under-66kg title ©IJF
Slovenia's Adrian Gomboc won the men's under-66kg title ©IJF

A second victory proved elusive for Kazakhstan as Yerlan Serikzhanov suffered a waza-ari defeat to Slovenia’s Adrian Gomboc in the men’s under-66kg gold medal bout.

It was the same story in the first bronze medal bout as Slovenia’s Andraz Jereb beat Kazakhstan’s Yerlan Zhaksybekov in the same manner.

The final medal was claimed by France’s Daniel Jean, aa winner by waza-ari against Portugal’s Sergiu Oleinic.

Competition is set to continue in Morocco tomorrow.

Watch all the latest judo action on Judo TV here.