Willems had conceded only one defeat until then, in the semi-finals, against Frenchwoman Marie-Eve Gahie, 10th in the world, 2019 world champion and double European champion, on ippon (2 waza ari after 1:23 of combat ).
Willlems started his day with victories on ippon against the Taiwanese Yu-Jung Liao (IJF 50) and the German Giovanna Scoccimarro (IJF 17). In the round of 16, she defeated the Austrian Michaela Polleres, 4th in the world and Olympic vice-champion, on a waza-ari.
She then took the best by ippon over the Russian Madina Taimazova, 11th in the world and bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in the quarter-finals.
This 5th place should allow Gabriela Willems to score valuable points which could allow her to narrowly qualify for the Paris Olympics.
There will be 17 athletes qualified per category for Paris, based on the ranking of June 23, plus one or the other per continent to reach 24. Before these Worlds, the Liégeoise was 30th.
2024-05-22 21:29:04
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