At the top of the draw, world number one Anna Monta Olek (GER), silver medallist at the last world championships, in 2025, arrived as the clear favourite. An opening victory against Alexandra Riabchenko (RUS) appeared to confirm her status, but the German star was about to face a challenge unlike any other in the next round: the ageless Audrey Tcheuméo (FRA).
Ageless is indeed the perfect word to describe the incredible career of the French champion. At 36 years old, Tcheuméo has achieved almost everything possible on the world stage. World champion in 2011, fifteen years ago, she has accumulated four world championship medals, four World Judo Masters podium finishes, 19 grand slam medals, including ten golds, five European titles, 16 grand prix medals and, of course, two Olympic medals, one silver and one bronze.
Yet Audrey Tcheuméo is still there, still competing at the highest level and still capable of defeating the very best. Anna Monta Olek experienced this first-hand, as she was comprehensively beaten by the French veteran. Tcheuméo continued her remarkable journey by defeating Yael van Heemst (NED) to secure yet another grand slam final appearance, a truly outstanding achievement.
In the bottom half of the draw, the scenario unfolded more according to expectations, with Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko (UAE) progressing to the final without ever looking seriously troubled.
The final began as a battle of strength. During a transition to the ground, Lytvynenko took her time to establish her control before freeing her leg. Tcheuméo attempted to resist but the pressure applied by the UAE-judoka was too strong. Lytvynenko secured the hold down for ippon and claimed another grand slam gold medal.
Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko explained, at the end of the day, "Today was a hard day but now I feel much better than I did this morning. I am very excited for the Los Angeles Olympic Games, especially since these two years after the Paris Olympics went by so fast. To be honest, I didn't really have a specific game plan against the French judoka; my coach just told me, "You have to win," so I won! I don't study opponents deeply, but because you remember how they fight from previous contests, it becomes more about feeling what they do on the mat.
I will celebrate this victory in Mongolia as my friend is going to show me around so I can explore the country. I truly love all the support from the fans and enjoy taking selfies and photographs with them.
Finally, since today is Father's Day, I just want to say that I love my dad very much. Happy Father's Day!"
The two German judoka, Anna Monta Olek (GER) and Alina Böhm (GER) would undoubtedly have preferred to meet once again in a final, as they had done at the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam 2026, but this time their meeting was for a bronze medal. Böhm took the advantage this time, defeating her compatriot with a waza-ari and a yuko.
The second bronze medal contest saw Brenda Olaya (COL) face Yael van Heemst (NED). It was with the smallest of margins, a yuko, that Olaya secured the bronze medal, the second of her career at this level of competition.
Final (-78 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-78 kg)
