Amjahid, Baumgarten Shine In Women's Finals At London Grand Slam
Amjahid, Baumgarten Shine In Women's Finals At London Grand Slam
Full recaps of the women's brown/black belt finals from Abu Dhabi London Grand Slam.
By Michael Sears
The fifth and final Grand Slam of the 2017-18 UAEJJF season came to a close Sunday night in London, with over $125,000 in cash prizes on the line and up to 200 ranking points. The Copper Box Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park hosted two days of nonstop action, culminating in the black belt finals. The UAEJJF season will come to a close at the Abu Dhabi World Pro on April 24-28. Here is a recap of the women’s brown/black belt finals.
49kg (decided Saturday)
Gold: Serena Gabrielli – Italy – Flow
Silver: Arantzazu Romero – Spain – CFC
Bronze: Nina Navid – United Kingdom – Roger Gracie
This bracket was a round robin, with Gabrielli coming out on top Saturday.
55kg
Gold: Amal Amjahid – Belgium – CENS
Silver: Rose El Sharouni – Netherlands – Checkmat
Bronze: Amanda Monteiro – Brazil – GFT
Brown belt phenom Amal Amjahid looked unstoppable in her 55 kg final. Amal started the match with an overhead sweep to mount, on top she toyed with her opponent, racking up a 15-0 score before finishing with a bow and arrow choke.
Final: Amal Amjahid defeats Rose El Sharouni by bow and arrow 4:45
On avenging her earlier defeats to Monteiro in the semifinal, “I am satisfied with this victory, but it represents to me only one step among many others. The path is still long in my eyes, with the end coming at the Abu Dhabi World Pro.”
62kg
Gold: Charlotte Von Baumgarten – Germany – Mathias Ribeiro
Silver: Larissa Paes – Brazil – UAEJJ
Bronze: Nadia Melo – Brazil – GFT
Von Baumgarten mounted an epic comeback to take gold in the 62 kg division against the number one ranked female in Paes. After an early sweep and knee slide gave Paes a 5-0 lead, many would assume that gap in points to be insurmountable. Von Baumgarten swept back to make it 5-2 and immediately started overwhelming Paes guard with pass attempts. Charlotte would force a turtle that would lead to a back take, and Von Baumgarten had a choke locked in when the clock expired to win 6-5.
Final: Charlotte Von Baumgarten defeats Larissa Paes 6-5
70kg
Gold: Ana Carolina Vieira – Brazil – GFT
Silver: Thamara Silva – Brazil – Cicero Costha
Bronze: Ane Svendsen- GFT – Norway
Ana Carolina took home her third Grand Slam gold medal of the season on Sunday night in London. An early single leg gave Ana a 2-0 lead. After a couple minutes of lasso play by Silva, the women ended up on their feet. Ana jumped closed guard and not long after hit an armlock to get the tap.
Final: Ana Carolina Vieira defeats Thamara Silva by armlock 5:18
90kg
Gold: Arizona Broedie – United Kingdom – Macaco Gold
Silver: Laila Carneiro – Brazil – Marcao Art Suave
Bronze: Jonna Kunivouri – Finland – Reza Monfaradi
Broedie put on a smash passing clinic in the 90kg final. After a guard pull by Carneiro, it was pass-knee on belly-mount for a 9-0 win.
Final: Arizona Broedie defeats Laila Carneiro 9-0