Israeli-born Judo star wins gold for GB

Alice Schlesinger won her first Judo Grand Slam title in four years, as she won gold for GB at the Baku Grand Slam.

The 27-year-old had represented Israeli up until 2014 – which included her reaching the quarter-finals at the 2012 London Olympic Games – but has since fought for GB, qualifying through her British citizenship through her English-born mother.

Beating Israel’s Yarden Gerbi on her way to her win – defeating her in the semi-final, she told gold by producing a uchi-mata to throw Croatian Marijana Miskovic Hasanbegovic just 27 seconds into the final. Her win also saw her pick up 500 qualifying points for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games this summer.

Speaking afterwards, Schlesinger said: “I am really pleased with how I fought and focused today. I was very disappointed at the Europeans, so it feels nice to be on the rostrum again.”

Elite Performance Coach Kate Howey, MBE, said: “I am pleased with how Alice performed today. After a disappointing Europeans she came back in style. She won all fights by ippon including against the world number five Yarden Gerbi. This should put her in a seeding place for the Olympics.”