Golden Score twist: Kowalewska stuns Polleres, while Eme and Pedrotti lift Europe in Dushanbe

The women’s -70 kg final in Dushanbe looked like a daunting assignment for Aleksandra Kowalewska (POL). Across from her stood Michaela Polleres (AUT), a double Olympic medallist, and from the first “hajime” it felt like Polleres had the contest under her control. Still, as the minutes passed, the rhythm changed and Kowalewska began to match the intensity.

With 90 seconds left in regular time, the Polish judoka fired in a seoi-otoshi that came close to a yuko. It didn’t score, but it mattered: it was a clear warning that the balance of the fight was shifting. Kowalewska kept returning to seoi-otoshi, sometimes linking it with other attacks, and Polleres struggled to fully shut the door.

One opening was all she needed.

The decisive moment arrived in golden score. Kowalewska committed to ko-uchi-gari and was rewarded with Waza-ari, sealing the biggest win of her young career. At 21, she left the tatami looking almost shocked, while Polleres showed obvious frustration. For Kowalewska, it meant her first Grand Slam medal—and it came as gold.

After the final, Kowalewska said she still couldn’t describe her feelings. She explained she came to show her judo and gain experience, and that facing such an experienced opponent didn’t stress her. She also noted there’s little time to celebrate with Astana next on her schedule.

Europe also shone in the bronze medal contests. Clémence Eme (FRA) and Nika Koren (SLO) worked hard through normal time without finding the gap, but in golden score Eme produced a stunning sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi for a clean Ippon. It was only her second World Judo Tour medal, and the emotion on her face said everything.

In another all-European match, Jana Cvjetko (CRO) met Irene Pedrotti, and the turning point came from a risky choice. Cvjetko attacked with sutemi-waza, Pedrotti read it early, stepped around and moved straight into osaekomi to secure the score. For Pedrotti, it delivered her first Grand Slam medal.

Dushanbe’s -70 kg podium was a loud European statement.

Source: JudoInside