She had not participated in a competition since the K1 of Dubai last February, one of only 3 competitions where she did not get to the podium in her career. Her success in Paris 3 weeks earlier had not taken away all her doubts. Since then… “She was restingâ€, says the Japanese national team head coach. She was mainly training !
She is back. Ayumi Uekusa (+68 kg) took the 3rd place in Shanghai (June 7-9). Winner of Switzerland’s Bruederlin, she then defeated Mexico’s Quintal (decision). But, in the ½ final, she suffered the law of this Karate 1big surprise, the young Kazakh Berultseva, 2017 Junior World champion, 2019 U21 Asian runner-up, 3rd in Istanbul two weeks ago (5-3). For the bronze medal, she dominated Turkey’s Hocaoglu (2-1).
France is doing very well with its 4 medals, gold for Alizee Agier (-68 kg), silver for Alexandra Recchia (-50 kg), bonze for Mehdi Filali (+84 kg), Sabrina Ouihaddadene (-55 kg) and Leila Heurtault (-61 kg).
