Angelika Szymanska was determined to lead the final from the first ‘Hajime,’ attacking with tomoe-nage almost immediately. Anna Kriza had done her homework where the gripping was concerned but that wasn’t enough to stop Szymanska, a seasoned competitor at world level.
The Polish athlete stayed ahead and at the halfway point managed to hook in with an o-uchi-gari to score waza-ari. Kriza pressed very well but Szymanska was ready for it and scored a yuko to extend her lead. As the last seconds approached, a lapse in comcertation cost Szymanska a clean sheet and she gave Kriza a yuko but the gold medal was hers. This is Angelika Szymanska’s third grand slam gold medal.
After the final Szymanska said, “Today I expected a good result because I was disappointed after the worlds. I told my coach we were going to Abu Dhabi to win and I did it. I want points early in the qualification period so I can have a relaxing period to prepare for bigger challenges. I'm really impressed by my opponent's amazing previous months. She's a strong new opponent on my way to the medals and I wish her the best. I was second at the world championships here two years ago, so I think it's a lucky place for me."
Bronze medal contest: Iva Oberan (CRO) vs Laura Fazliu (KOS)
As the contest began, Iva Oberan looked to have the upper hand, a strong top grip dominating the upper body of Laura Fazliu, but as the time went on, Fazliu found her rhythm and worked her way back into the contest, beginning to attack more frequently. Oberan was ready with counters but so was Fazliu.
No scores were recorded in normal time and so the always-precarious extra time was added, with the first score delivering the win to its author. Fazliu stuck to her trajectory, getting stronger and stronger until she could translate that into a score. She stepped in for a huge pick-up and threw Oberan for ippon after just a minute of added time. This is Kosovo’s first medal of the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.
Bronze medal contest: Carlotta Avanzato (ITA) vs Kaja Kajzer Zabkar (SLO)
This was a very close contest from the outset. Cancelling each other out meant no score appeared on the board in normal time and so the golden score period was needed. Carlotta Avanzato made small rule infringements throughout while Kaja Kajzer Zabkar kept calm and focused, making no mistakes at all. Matching the run of play perfectly, Avanzato was penalised three times, the third arriving during golden score, to give the medal to the Slovenian judoka.
Final (-63 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-63 kg)
Final Results (-63 kg)
