Giulia Quintavalle [Xinhua]

Italian Quintavalle wins women's 57kg judo Olympic gold [Xinhua]

Italian Giulia Quintavalle outscored Deborah Gravenstijn from the Netherlands in the final of women's 57kg-class judo on Monday evening, adding the second gold medal to Italy at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Quintavalle, 25, managed an active attack in the final which led to an early penalty to her Netherlands' opponent. She gave another yuko throw-down and succeeded to keep her advantage to the end.

The Italian's victory was also her first international title and the second gold medal in Italy's haul at the Games. Gravenstijn, bronze medalist in Athens, had made tough road to the final however.

Ketleyn Quadros from Brazil ipponed Maria Pekli, Australia, in overtime, to win a bronze medal. China's Xu Yan, outscored Barbara Harel of France coming from repechage at first and then ipponed to win the other bronze.

Being an unfavored judoka in the class, Xu flipped herself and called for cheering from mass Chinese spectators after winning. She outscored Japan's Aiko Sato, world bronze medalist in 2007, but was halted by Gravenstijn at semifinal.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2008)