By Duncan Mackay at the Traktor Sport Arena in Chelyabinsk

France's Clarisse Agbegnenou celebrates her victory in the women's under-63kg class ©IJFFrance's Clarisse Agbegnenou gained revenge over Israel's Yarden Gerbi when she won the gold medal in the under-63 kilogram class at the World Judo Championships here today.


The 21-year-old from Rennes finally claimed the biggest prize of her career with an ippon in the second minute of the title fight, reversing the result of last year's final at the Championships in Rio de Janeiro.

"I am so emotional tonight, it's not me," said Agbegnenou, who had won bronze as a teenager when the European Championships were staged in this Arena two years ago. 

"I was the favourite but I didn't feel that way.

"There is only one to go on the top of the podium.

"I didn't want any other colour of medal.

"It is beautiful, a great victory and yes it is a great revenge, but that is sport.

"I didn't expect to see Yarden in the final as she had a difficult year but I am happy that we met again and that this time I won."

France's Clarisse Agbegneno reversed the result of last year's World Championships final when she beat Israel's Yarden Gerbi to win the under-63kg class ©IJFFrance's Clarisse Agbegneno reversed the result of last year's World Championships final when she beat Israel's Yarden Gerbi to win the under-63kg class ©IJF

Yarden, 25, admitted that she had been overwhelmed by the reaction to her victory in Brazil last year.

"After my world title in Rio, my status changed in my country," she said.

"I was the first judoka to win the world title for Israel.

"I became famous and it was difficult to handle it.

"After I lost at the European Championships, we decided to focus on the Worlds.

"That was my only objective. I am happy that I made my performance here."

Yarden also admitted that the current conflict in Gaza had affected her preparations.

"Today the situation is very difficult in Israel, so this medal goes to my country," she said. 

The first bronze medal was won by Miku Tashiro.

The Japanese judoka defeated Italy's Edwige Gwend with a grappling technique.

The second bronze was won by European silver medallist Tina Trstenjak of Slovenia, who beat France's Anne-Laure Bellard.

Trstenjak scored a waza-ari half point – the second highest score after an ippon with just 35 seconds of the fight left.

Georgia's Avtandil Tchrikishvili dominated throughout the under-81kg class and beat Canada's Antoine Valois-Fortier in the final ©IJFGeorgia's Avtandil Tchrikishvili dominated throughout the under-81kg class and beat Canada's Antoine Valois-Fortier in the final ©IJF

Georgia's Avtandil Tchrikishvili also went one better than he did in Rio last year by winning gold in the under-81 kilo weight division.

The 23-year-old became his country's second world champion as he dominated the category throughout, culminating in sweeping aside Canadian Antoine Valois-Fortier in the final. 

The only other Georgian to lift an individual title was Irakli Tsirekidze, winner of the under-90kg class in Rio de Janeiro seven years ago. 

"It feels so good to be the world champion," said Tchrikishvili, winner of consecutive European titles in 2013 and 2014. 

"I am just happy tonight. I came here to win and I won.

"What else can I ask from my day."

Valois-Fortier, a 24-year-old from Quebec who at London 2012 had become the first Canadian judoka to win an Olympic medal when he had claimed the bronze, was just as happy with his silver.

"I am so happy," he said.

"Several months ago, with my coach, we focussed everything on the worlds.

"It was my goal to be on the podium today.

"And when you reach your goal, you can only be happy.

"I had several good victories today and that's just incredible."

The first bronze medal was won by Loic Pietri of France.

He beat 20-year-old All Japan Championships winner Takanori Nagase with a stylish waza-ari half point.

Ivan Nifontov gave the Russian fans something to cheer with a bronze medal, beating France's Alain Schmitt ©World Judo Championships 2014 ChelyabinskIvan Nifontov gave the Russian fans something to cheer with a bronze medal, beating France's Alain Schmitt ©World Judo Championships 2014 Chelyabinsk

The second bronze medal  was won by Russia's Olympic bronze medallist Ivan Nifontov, much to the delight of another capacity crowd.

He thrilled his home support by beating Alain Schmitt of France who lost out by virtue of a shido penalty.

Watch the latest action on Judo TV here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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