Yuan Hua's Deciding Ippon Gives China Women's Team Title at 21st Universiade

Yuan Hua's Deciding Ippon Gives China Women's Team Title at 21st Universiade

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China defeated Britain to win the judo women's team title Monday at the 21st World University Games here.

The Chinese team, anchored by Olympic champion in open division Yuan Hua, met with stiff challenge from the British rivals.

Xian Dongmei, Universiade champion in under 52kg division, was forced out of the contest during the first bout owing to an injury in her right leg.

Then China made two consecutive victories when Zheng Linli and Yang Sujun defeated their British opponents before Kate Howey of Britain overpowered Qin Dongya with an ippon to draw her team with China 2-2.

Yuan, the last to appear, convicingly clinched the title for China after strangling her rival Michelle Rogers with a throw for ippon.

Liu Yongfu, coach of the Chinese team, said, "We are the strongest among all the teams so it is natural for us to win. Anyway, we are happy to take the title."

In the repechages, South Korea swept past Russia and Japan overpowered Brazil to share the bronze.