Two Fifth Place Finishes on Opening Day of Paris Grand Slam

It was a case of so close yet so far on the opening day of the Paris Grand Slam for GB Judo as Chelsie Giles and Lucy Renshall, both making their first appearances of the year, narrowly missed out on bronze medals.

Following an opening round bye, Giles defeated Melissa Hurtado Munoz (CUB) after some great groundwork, a trait that has fast become a trademark for the British Olympic bronze medallist.

Unfortunately, Giles was defeated in the Quarter-Finals by -48kg Olympic Champion Distra Krasniqi (KOS) in the 7^th minute of the contest. Krasniqi capitalising on a Giles attack for waza-ari score, to book her place in the Semi-Finals.

Giles meanwhile had to settle for a place in the Repechage where she fought Khorloodoi Bishrelt (MGL) for a place in the bronze medal contest. Giles again utilised her groundwork to superior effect to defeat her opponent by holding her down for 20-seconds to book her place in the bronze medal contest.

Giles faced current World Champion Ai Shishime (JPN) for the bronze medal, a fighter who has won a medal at every competition she has entered since February 2015. Giles picked up a shido early in the contest before picking up a second prior to the contest entering Golden Score. In the 3^rd minute of Golden Score an uchi mata attempt by Shishime was scored a waza-ari meaning Giles had to settle for 5^th.

Renshall threw Manon Deketer (FRA, featured image) for waza ari score to book her place in the Quarter-Finals, following an opening round bye. Two-time Grand Slam gold medallist Masako Doi (JPN) stood between Renshall and a place in the Semi-Finals. The Quarter-Final contest lasted a mammoth 12-minutes and ended in heartbreak for Renshall as she was held down for an osaekomi score meaning she had to settle for a place in the Repechage.

Renshall secured her place in the bronze medal contest after some great groundwork saw her defeat Amina Belkadi (ALG).

Renshall faced European Champion and 2021 Paris Grand Slam bronze medallist Angelika Szymanska (POL) in the bronze medal contest. The match entered Golden Score in what was a closely contested battle. Renshall found herself with two shidos to her name so had to attack to avoid picking up a contest ending third. However a Renshall attack was countered by Szymanska for waza-ari score meaning the Brit also had to settle for 5^th place.

Gemma Howell defeated Melodie Turpin (FRA) in the opening round, Howell scored a waza-ari at the half way point of the contest before some great ground work forced her opponent to tap out after Howell applied a strangle. Unfortunately, Howell was defeated in Round 2 by Sanne Vermeer (NED). Vermeer pinning Howell for an osaekomi to win by ippon score.

Sunday sees Kelly Petersen-Pollard, Mima Yeats-Brown and Emma Reid in action.

Preliminary Round action starts at 10:00am with Final Block due to commence at 16:00.

You can watch all the action from the Paris Grand Slam LIVE on the British Judo homepage.