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Franchesca Durand (Coral Springs, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site/52kg) won a bronze medal Saturday in the Under-20 division of the Belgian Ladies Open in Arlon.

Fourteen-year-old Durand, competing in her first European event, lost her opening pool match to Lotte Denoo (BEL) before defeating Susanne Gunsch (GER) by ippon to advance to the main draw. Durand lost her opening match to eventual gold medalist Hannah Bruck (GER), but advanced through the repechage to win bronze by ippon over Kimberly Renicks (GBR).

Franchesca's North Miami teammate Angelica Delgado (North Lauderdale, Fla./57kg) rebounded from a rough start in the early pools to finish fifth in a 27-person field, defeating Satu Lehikoinen (FIN) to advance to the bronze medal match which she lost by ippon to Yarden Garbi (ISR).

Also competing at 57kg, Hannah Martin (Burnt Hills, N.Y./Judo America) went 1-1 in her pool to advance to the main draw where she lost to Esther Drotler (GER) in the first round.

Jeanette Rodriguez (North Lauderdale, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site/48kg) won her opening match against Alexandra Hugon (SUI) by koka, but dropped her next two bouts to finish third in her pool and failed to advance to the main draw.

Marina Shafir (Latham, N.Y./Judo America/78kg) finished third in her pool and failed to advance to the main draw.

Eva Smith (Fall River, Mass./Taki-Gawa/+78kg) finished fifth in her round robin event.

These athletes will compete along with seven other Americans in the senior event Sunday at the Belgian Ladies Open.

Complete results are as follows:

U20 Female 48kg
1. Tina Hild (GER)
2. Stefanie Snel (BEL)
3. Nina Keller (GER)
3. Kay Kraus (GER)
Also Competed: Jeanette Rodriguez (North Lauderdale, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site), 1-2.

U20 Female 52kg
1. Hannah Bruck (GER)
2. Romy Tarangul (GER)
3. Franchesca Durand (Coral Springs, Fla.)
3. Johanna Muller (GER)

U20 Female 57kg
1. Viola Wachter (GER)
2. Esther Drotler (GER)
3. Laura Mack (GER)
3. Yarden Gerbi (ISR)
5. Angelica Delgado (North Lauderdale, Fla./North Miami USA Judo National Training Site)
Also Competed: Hannah Martin (Burnt Hills, N.Y./Judo America), 1-2

U20 Female 63kg

1. Claudia Ahrens (GER) 2. Alice Schlesinger (ISR)
3. Anica Kilper (GER)
3. Melanie Gerber (GER)

U20 Female 70kg
1. Sally Conway (GBR)
2. Gerty Evens (BEL)
3. Elina Paulman (FIN)
3. Gemma Gibbons (GBR)

U20 Female 78kg 1. Jana Sabrina (GER)
2. Luise Malzahn (GER)
3. Maria Briesenmeister (GER)
3. Sabrina Gehrmann (GER)
Also Competed: Marina Shafir (Latham, N.Y./Judo America), 0-2

U20 Female +78kg
1. Janina Waldhausen (GER)
2. Beatrice Rietz (GER)
3. Angelique Heiny (GER)
3. Simone Daher (GER)
Also Competed: Eva Smith (Fall River, Mass./Taki-Gawa), 0-4.

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