Lucy Renshall returned to the Antalya Grand Slam to defend the title that she claimed in 2021.
Renshall, who recently rose to no.2 in the IJF world rankings in the -63kg category, entered Antalya as the no.1 seed. She certainly lived up to that ranking as she comfortably eased her way through the preliminary rounds defeating Prisca Awiti-Alcaraz (MEX) and Katarina Kristo (CRO) to book her place in the Quarter-Finals to face recent Paris Grand Slam champion Barbara Timo (POR). With less than 60-seconds of the contest fought, Renshall capitalised with some excellent ne-waza to pin her opponent for 20-seconds to secure an ippon score and book her place in the Semi-Finals.
Tokyo Olympic Games bronze medallist, Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard (CAN), stood between Renshall and a place in the Final. The contest entered Golden Score where Beauchemin-Pinard was awarded a third shido to hand victory, and a place in the Final to Renshall.
In the Final, Renshall faced Szofi Ozbas (HUN), who has enjoyed great success at Junior level, being crowned Junior European and Junior World Champion in 2019.
Renshall went a waza-ari score up as the contest reached its halfway point and despite multiple Ozbas attacks late on, Renshall never looked threatened and continued to dominate the grip to secure her 4th Grand Slam title.
Catch up –
