NATALIE Powell has defeated the European judo champion to take a bronze medal at the Chinese Masters.
Powell, from Beulah, had lost to France’s Madeleine Malonga at April’s European Championships.
But she controlled her powerful opponent with clever tactics to win the bronze at the invitational event for the world’s top 16 judoka in every weight.
The bronze at the Guangzhou Masters also secured Powell 900 World ranking and Olympic qualification points.
It is her third masters medal of her career, after silver in 2015 and bronze in 2016. She said: “This year has been a bit of a roller coaster, so I’m really happy it all came together today. I feel like my judo has improved a lot over the last 12 months and the results are coming together now. I can’t wait to get stuck into next year.”
Powell had lost to Japanese world champion Shori Hamada and then had to see off Cuban Kaliema Antomarchi to set up the bronze medal match.
She opened the tournament with a victory over Russia’s Anastasiya Dmitrieva.
Powell was one of seven British judokas at the Masters but the only one to medal.
Corries out of action again
THE wet weekened meant Brecon Corries couldn’t play their final fixture of the year.
The Corries had been due to travel to second placed Cardiff Draconians on Saturday, December 15.
But a waterlogged pitch meant the game couldn’t go ahead and the Corries can now enjoy a Christmas break. They do not return to league action until Saturday, January 5 when they are away to bottom side Cwm Welfare.
The Corries are sixth in the South Wales Alliance League Premier Division and their most recent game was a 1-3 home defeat to Sully Sports.