On the final day of action at the Tel Aviv Grand Prix in Israel, Natalie Powell (-78kg) took a big step forwards in securing her Olympic qualification by winning the -78kg category in what was her 3rd Grand Prix gold medal, her first time topping the podium since 2017.
Powell entered the competition ranked 3rd in the Olympic qualification rankings, knowing strong performances between now and the close of the qualification period at the end of May can secure her a top 8 seeding come the Games.
Powell defeated Unelle Snyman (RSA), Giorgia Stangherlin (ITA) and Aleksandra Babintseva (RUS) to win her Pool and progress to the semi-final to face former World Championship bronze medallist Luise Malzahn (GER).
A single waza ari was enough to see Powell defeat Malzahn and progress to the final to face three-time European Championship bronze medallist Bernadette Graf (AUT).
In the final Powell was never challenged by her Austrian opponent, winning convincingly by ippon score.
Frazer Chamberlain (-90kg) defeated Zachary Burt (CAN) and Nicholas Mungai (ITA) in the opening two rounds before narrowly missing out on a place in the quarter-final after amassing three shido’s vs Colton Brown (USA) in round 3.
After an opening round bye Chris Sherrington (+100kg) was defeated by Alisher Yusupov (UZB) in the second round.
Sarah Adlington (+78kg) was defeated by Sandra Jablonskyte (LTU) in the opening round.Tags:2020 Tel Aviv Grand Prix, Natalie Powell, Tel Aviv Grand Prix
