The 32-year-old Paris Grand Slam silver medallist showed that experience really does count on the international stage as she overcame 21-year-old Austrian Kathrin Unterwurzacher in golden score.

The young Austrian looked well on her way to victory in this first final of the day, however three shido penalties within a minute, followed by a fourth in golden score, sealed her fate and gifted the gold medal to Bellard.

Hungary were denied a medal in both bronze medal finals of this contest as Szabina Gercsak and Franciska Szabo were defeated in their respective fights.

Gercsak's loss came at the hands of Italy's Edwige Gwend whilst the Netherlands' Anicka Van Emden disposed of Szabo.

France have retained their spot at the top of the Baku Grand Slam medal table with Anne-Laure Bellard taking gold in the women's under 63kg category ©IJF



European kingpin Kim Polling of the Netherlands once again proved why she is the one to beat in the under 70kg category as she defeated Britain's Samsun Grand Prix runner-up Sally Conway.

The win extends Polling's lead at the top of the world rankings, a lead that was 600 points coming into the competitions.

Germany's Heide Wollart made her way onto the podium with victory over Slovenia's Anka Pogacnik in the first bronze medal final, while Poland's Katarzyna Klys won a battle of shido penalties against Moroccon Assma Niang in the second.

An ippon after just 90 seconds ensured the men's under 73kg gold medal fell into the hands of Israel's Sagi Muki as he beat Frenchman Florent Urani.

The Israeli was in devastating form all day, blowing away the opposition en route to his first Grand Slam gold medal.

United Arab Emirates' Victor Scvortov sealed the first men's bronze medal of the day as he beat Mongolian Tsagaanbaatar Khashbaatar.

The second bronze was won by local star Rustam Orujov as he delighted the crowd with victory over France's Pierre Duprat on a special day for Azerbaijan as it marked the 91st anniversary of the birth of Heydar Aliyev, the country's President for ten years until 2003. 

Alan Khubetsov sealed gold for Russia as he beat Ushangi Margiani in the men's under 81kg final ©IJF



Reigning Baku Grand Slam bronze medallist Alan Khubetsov secured Russia's first medal of the day as he beat Georgia's Ushangi Margiani in the men's under 81kg final.

Mammadali Mehdiyev added more delight for local fans as he won the first bronze medal with a win against Russia's Arsen Pshmakhov, while Antoine Valois-Fortier some success for Canada with victory over Yakhyo Imamov of Uzbekistan.

Action is due to come to a close in the Azerbaijani capital tomorrow as the men's under 90kg, under 100kg and over 100kg contest get underway, as well as the women's under 78kg and over 78kg competitions where France will be hoping to add to their current total of six medals, made of two gold, two silver and two bronze. 

Watch the latest action on Judo TV here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2014: Home favourite steals show on opening day of Baku Grand Slam
May 2014: International judo stars head to Azerbaijan for Baku Grand Slam
March 2014: Georgian favourite shocked by Lithuanian on final day of Samsun Judo Grand Prix
March 2014: Perfect ending for Georgia on final day of Tbilisi Judo Grand Prix
March 2014: Double delight for Georgia in Tbilisi Judo Grand Prix