Emma Reid Claims First Grand Prix Medal
Emma Reid continued her fine recent form on the World Tour as she claimed her first Grand Prix medal of her career and second medal in as many weeks!
Following a bye in the opening round of -78kg category, Reid entered the competition at the Quarter Final stage against Belgium’s Sophie Berger.
Similar to Reid, Berger was yet to medal at an IJF World Tour event but the Brit got the better of her Belgian opponent courtesy of a single waza-ari. Reid almost switched off following the score as Burger almost countered on the mat following the throw as she looked to secure a cross lock which Reid narrowly avoided.
The experienced Dutch Karen Stevenson lay in wait in the Semi Finals. It proved to be a step too far as the former World Masters Bronze medallist pinned Reid to the mat in the opening minute to drop her into the Bronze medal contest.
An excellent change of direction from Reid outfoxed World Junior Silver medallist Renee Van Harselaar to secure a vital waza-ari score and registered ippon via a hold down (Tate shiho gatame).
The medal completed the collection for Great Britain following Sam Hall’s Gold medal on the opening day of the competition. Kelly Petersen-Pollard added to the tally with a Silver medal on her Grand Prix debut.
Earlier in the day, Jamal Petgrave was eliminated in the second round of the -90kg competition in controversial fashion after the officials missed a score from the Brit before he succumbed to an ippon from his opponent.