Miryam Roper seals history as oldest ever winner of a Grand Slam

Former world bronze medallist Miryam Roper of Panama exceeded all expectations on her return to the international circuit as she marked her first IJF World Judo Tour appearance for Panama by not only winning her country’s first ever IJF medal but also ensured that it was gold and therefore Himno Istmeño would be played for the first time.

London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympian Miryam Roper, 34, who was born in Germany to a German mother and Panamanian father, was deemed surplus to requirements for Germany following her second Olympics as they looked to move in a new direction and to introduce younger talent. Roper believed that she still had plenty to offer at the elite level and that was proved to be the case on Saturday as the -57kg judoka won gold for Panama.

Roper, who was funded to take part in Ekaterinburg by the IJF and fought without a coach, was opposed to former world champion Udaka Nae (JPN) in the final and took control of an attack to set her opponent off balance for ippon as she broke down in tears of sheer elation having gone through every emotion imaginable in elite sport in the last year.

In the first semi-final Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix winner Lkhagvatogoo Enkhriilen (MGL) was dismissed by Roper who held down the Mongolian for 20 seconds to guarantee a first ever medal for Panama at this level. In the second semi-final Udaka – who defeated Olympic champion Rafaela Silva (BRA) in golden score in their quarter-final - was too strong for 20-year-old Pan American Championships winner Jessica Klimkait (CAN). The Canadian received a third shido in golden score to receive her marching orders and it was the Japanese judoka who advanced.

The first bronze medal contest saw beaten semi-finalist Klimkait defeat Tyumen Grand Slam silver medallist Daria Mezhetckaia (RUS) to win her first Grand Slam medal with a morote-seoi-nage. Klimkait rolled up her sleeves and came back ready to fight in the bronze medal final, which she won with two waza-aris against Daria Mezhetckaia of Russia. Mezhetckaia had recorded a waza-ari of her own with the same technique but Klimkait marginally outworked her opponent and was a worthy winner with a winning margin of one waza-ari.

“I fought pretty well today. I’m happy because it’s my first Grand Slam medal!” Klinmkait exclaimed. In the second bronze medal contest Olympic champion Rafaela Silva (BRA) defeated 18-year-old Lkhagvatogoo who put forward a respectable showing despite losing by hansoku-make for accumulating three shido penalties.

Watch the list of oldest Grand Slam winnners ever