Terliuga triumphed on the circuit’s previous stop in Matosinhos, with the Grand Winner having settled for second place in the season opener in Fujairah.

The Olympic silver medallist justified her status as the world ranking leader by reaching the women’s 55 kilogram kumite final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

She overcame Estonia’s Li Lirisman 2-1 in a closely contested semi-final in the Moroccan city.

Terliuga will now face Egypt’s Ahlam Youssef, with the reigning world champion beating Italy’s Lorena Busa 7-2 in her semi-final match.

Youssef was one of six Egyptian athletes to reach finals on the opening day of competition.

Reem Ahmed Salama overcame ranking leader Yorgelis Salazar of Venezuela 2-0 in the women’s under-50kg kumite semi-finals.

Spain’s Gema Morales beat Olympic bronze medallist Bettina Plank of Austria 4-1 to secure the second spot in the final.

Abdalla Abdelaziz and Ali Elsawy are set to contest an all-Egyptian men’s under-75kg kumite final.

African champion Abdelaziz edged Italy’s Daniele De Vivo 2-1 in the semi-finals, while Elsawy was a 1-0 winner against Jordan’s Hasan Masarweh.

Mohamed Salah Mohamed qualified for the men’s under-60kg kumite final after being awarded the contest against Kuwait’s Abdullah Shaaban, after the bout finished scoreless.

The Egyptian will face home favourite Abdel Ali Jina, who beat Azerbaijan’s Aminagha Guliyev in the same fashion after their bout ended 1-1.

Ahmed Aiman Lotfy continued Egypt’s domination by winning his men’s under-67kg kumite semi-final by decision over Hungary’s Yves Martial Tadissi.

Greece’s Dionysios Xenos won the second semi-final 7-5, with the European champion beating Morocco’s Said Oubaya.

Hong Kong’s Olympic bronze medallist Mo Sheung Grace Lau and Japan’s Hikaru Ono will meet in the women’s kata final.

Competition is set to continue tomorrow in Rabat, with finals scheduled to take place on Sunday (May 15).