Marcon Bezzina was the hero of the Maltese contingent yesterday as she won gold in the –63kg category beating Andorra’s Laura Salles Lopez in the final by a Yuko against a Koka.

A Yuko means five points and a Koka three points and that was enough to give Bezzina the gold. Two years ago, Marcon had won her first gold medal in these games in the –57kg category.

This time, it was more difficult, but she thoroughly deserved the verdict, as she controlled her taller and swifter opponent right from the start, and especially near the end, after obtaining the Yuko. Salles Lopez obtained a Koka with a few seconds left, but it was not enough for her to beat the determined Bezzina.

There was great enthusiasm from the large Maltese group supporting Marcon in this final. Among those present were Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco, president of the MOC, and the Chef de Mission, Pippo Psaila, the general secretary, Joseph Cassar, and other MOC directors. At the end, everyone wanted to hug our athlete who was very happy at having struck gold again this time.

After chanting with the other gold medallist of the previous day, Joanna Camilleri, “Viva n-nisa Maltin tal-judo” (Thumbs-up for the Malta judo girls), Marcon told me: “This was another exciting moment in my career. I am very happy as this time it was more difficult because of having to take part in the –63kg category,” she said. Bezzina said she will now look forward to the future more confidently. “My coach in England insists that I remain in this new category, and I think it will be difficult now to go back to the –57kg category. However, I am still eager to achieve more success in future,” she said.

Bezzina later said she wanted to dedicate this gold medal to all her family, especially her younger brother Edward who was undergoing an operation these days.

Team manager Alex Bezzina said the judo clan was very happy with what had been achieved so far. “Two golds and two bronzes is no mean achievement, considering that this is a relatively new team. I am especially glad for Marcon as it was not easy for her to repeat the Andorra success in a new category. We had been uncertain on whether she would have been successful, but her training in Bath, England, has strengthened her resolve.

“She played a great final and controlled her opponent in style and with relative ease. Despite this result, we have to work harder to achieve even more success in future. We already have a sound basis, but we need help, mostly in the form of financial investment to be able to compete on an international basis. We have little resources, but the future looks good,” he said.

Earlier, Evgeny Ulanov also obtained an excellent result, winning bronze after beating his Andorran opponent Palacio Cordero in the match for third place. He won the game in just 30 seconds thanks to an Ippon.

So far judo has provided Malta with two gold medals and two bronze ones.