Powell finishes 7th on final day of Abu Dhabi Grand Slam

On the third and final day of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, Natalie Powell (-78kg) was the pick of the three British Judoka in action finishing 7^th.

After an opening round bye, Powell defeated the African Games silver medallist Unelle Snyman (RSA) in round 2 before losing out to the Tokyo World Championship bronze medallist Loriana Kuka (KOS) in Golden Score in the quarter-final after amassing three penalty shido’s. In the Repechage Powell faced the current European Championship silver medallist and 2018 World Championship silver medallist Guusje Steenhuis (NED) but unfortunately again amassed three penalty shido’s and handed victory and a place in the bronze medal match to her Dutch opponent.

Elsewhere, Max Stewart (-90kg) defeated the Asian-Pacific Championship bronze medallist Hebilige Bu (CHN) in the opening round before suffering defeat to Tokyo World Championship bronze medallist Nemanja Majdov (SRB) in round two. Like Powell before him, Stewart amassed three penalty shido’s and handed his Serbian opponent victory before he later went on to reach the bronze medal match.

Also competing in the -90kg category was the 2018 European U23 Championship silver medallist Jamal Petgrave who was defeated in the opening round by former Pan American Junior Champion John Jayne (USA).