The women’s –48 kg category delivered some of the day’s most memorable moments. Pre-tournament favourite Tara Babulfath (SWE), already a world and Olympic medallist at senior level, was defeated early by an inspired Aitana Diaz Hernandez (ESP). The Spaniard’s strategic precision and composed attitude carried her all the way to the final, where she met Sachiyo Yoshino (JPN), who had displayed remarkable consistency and tactical maturity throughout the preliminary rounds.
With her guard held high, Aitana Diaz Hernandez (ESP) opened the contest with confidence. With a backward movement, however, Sachiyo Yoshino (JPN) seized her first opportunity, executing a perfectly timed ko-soto-gari for waza-ari. After a video review, the score was upgraded to ippon, sealing the assignment of the first gold medal of the championships for Japan.
Bronze Medal Contests
Laura Vasquez (ECU) vs Laziza Haydarova (UZB)
The contest began evenly, with Haydarova receiving the first penalty for passivity midway through. As the contest moved into golden score, both judoka were penalised again for minor infractions. After more than six minutes of intense exchanges, Haydarova finally found an opening, securing a brief immobilisation of five seconds for a yuko that earned her the first bronze medal for Uzbekistan at these championships.
Morgane Annis (FRA) vs Vera Wandel (NED)
This was a fierce battle from start to finish. Midway through, Annis received a penalty for breaking the grip, before Wandel took the lead with a yuko from a left-sided o-uchi-gari. Refusing to give in, Annis countered with a stunning o-soto-gari to score waza-ari. She then held on to her advantage through the final seconds. Her victory secured France’s first medal of the tournament.
With Yoshino’s victory and the strong performances from Diaz Hernandez, Annis and Haydarova, the –48 kg category set a high standard for the rest of the competition, a perfect showcase of the spirit, skill and emotion that define world junior judo.
Final (-48 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-48 kg)
