The day was also marked by an extended visit from International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry. The Zimbabwean, a double Olympic swimming champion and winner of seven Olympic medals, became the first woman and the first African to lead the IOC, in 2025. Her presence at the first Olympic sporting event on African soil therefore carried particular significance. Having chaired the IOC Co-ordination Commission for Dakar 2026 before becoming president, she also has a longstanding connection with these Games.
Welcomed by Larissa Kiss, IF Delegate for judo, President Coventry had the opportunity to meet several outstanding athletes now contributing to the sport in different roles. Among them were Slovenia’s Tina Trstenjak, world and Olympic champion and now IJF Referee Director; Hungary’s Hedvig Karakas, world medallist and Olympian, now IJF Sport Director; and Clarisse Agbegnenou, three-time Olympic (individuals and teams) and six-time world champion, serving in Dakar as an Athlete Role Model. Later, President Coventry also met and exchanged with members of the IJF Executive Committee in attendance at the venue.
These encounters reflected an important connection between generations. Athletes who once experienced the demands of Olympic competition are now helping create that experience for others, whether through refereeing, sport administration or direct conversations with young competitors. For those stepping onto an Olympic tatami for the first time, seeing that continuity gives substance to the idea that their involvement in sport can develop well beyond their competitive careers.
The visit also offered an opportunity to see judo’s contribution to the Games at close quarters. The technical quality of the contests, the work of officials and volunteers and the respect accompanying each encounter all form part of what the sport brings to the Olympic programme. Amid those exchanges, the athletes continued to write the day’s sporting story, with nine medal contests deciding the podia in three categories.
−52 kg: Supygaliyeva Takes Command
Fatima Supygaliyeva delivered a convincing performance in the final against Sofia Gaspar (POR), winning by ippon to secure the Youth Olympic title. The Kazakh judoka confirmed her superiority in the category with a decisive finish, while Gaspar concluded her own successful campaign with silver.
Alexandra Chiron (MDA) claimed one bronze medal with an ippon victory over Alima Jobe (GAM). In the other bronze medal contest, Vivien Vadovicova (SVK) defeated Viktoria Grigoryan (BEL), scoring a yuko and a waza-ari to earn her place on the podium.
Final Results (-52 kg)
−63 kg: Reinhold Completes an Impressive Day
Jolina Reinhold had been impressive throughout the preliminary rounds and carried that form into the final against Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada (IND). The German finished the contest by ippon, completing a strong day with gold. Darjada’s silver medal rewarded a campaign that had taken her all the way to the title contest.
The first bronze medal contest remained close and uncertain until the end. Sashenka Fatimah (INA) and Dounia Berrahoual (ALG) both found scoring opportunities but Fatimah’s waza-ari proved decisive against the Algerian’s yuko. The Indonesian secured bronze after a tightly contested encounter.
Aaisha Kyialbekova (KGZ) took the initiative against Ranim Ben Sliman (TUN) in the other bronze medal contest. A waza-ari separated them at the finish, giving Kyialbekova the victory and a place on the podium.
Final Results (-63 kg)
−81 kg: Cebulj Finds the Winning Margin
In a highly competitive category, the final between Maks Cebulj (SLO) and Sobhan Hakimi (IRI) was decided by a single yuko. That score was enough for Cebulj to take the title, bringing a closely fought contest to a successful conclusion for Slovenia. Hakimi took silver.
Aly Elramly (EGY) produced an emphatic performance against Vladimiros Charalampous (CYP) in their bronze medal contest. The Egyptian scored a yuko, followed by a waza-ari and then ippon, building his advantage before delivering the decisive finish.
Ivan Nikolchev (BUL) was similarly forceful against Shaku Kargbo (SLE). The Bulgarian accumulated scores and imposed himself on the contest to secure the remaining bronze medal, completing a podium earned through contrasting but equally effective performances.
Final Results (-81 kg)
With six of the eight titles now decided, attention turns to the final day of judo in Dakar. The women’s −78 kg and men’s −100 kg categories will bring the competition to its conclusion, offering another group of young athletes the opportunity to leave their mark on these historic Games.