Akari Omori of Japan, seven times a grand slam medallist, had the task of usurping the Georgian trailblazer. It was not going to be easy for either of them!
Final: Eteri Liparteliani (GEO) vs Akari Omori (JPN)
Omori was sure of her tactics from the outset, stopping Liparteliani’s strong right hand and using her own crossed lapel grips to keep the distance between them. This didn’t stop Liparteliani from coming forward, creating a tsunami of unorthodox movements for Omori to contend with. As time progressed a penalty came for Georgi but two for Japan. Without positive scores though, the contest moved into extra time.
This fascinating clash of styles and a fierce gripping battle lasted for a total of six minutes and 7 seconds. It ended with a change of focus from Akari Omori who employed her skills in ne-waza to turn Liparteliani on to her back. She earned the all-important yuko and left the tatami as a world champion. Liparteliani has a new silver medal but won’t keep the red back patch; that is heading to Japan.
Akari Omori spoke clearly after the final, "I knew I was facing a very tough opponent so my goal was simply to trust the judo I had practised and use my skills as well as I could. I wasn’t certain what the result would be but I believed that if I gave everything and stayed true to my training, I could win.
Even though I won, I know there is still a lot I need to improve. I want to go home, work on those areas and continue progressing. For now, though, there is still work to do here, with the team event ahead of us. I want to stay focused and do everything I can to help Japan win."
Bronze medal contest: Ana Viktorija Puljiz (CRO) vs Sarah-Leonie Cysique (FRA)
Following an injury she sustained during her semi-final, Sarah-Leonie Cysique was unable to compete for the bronze medal. It is a shame for everyone but must not take anything away from Ana Viktorija Puljiz’s excellent performance in Baku. She has her first senior world medal, a bronze.
Bronze medal contest: Marica Perisic (SRB) vs Seija Ballhaus (GER)
Energy and action characterised this contest. Almost nothing separated them but as time went on Perisic began to gain ground and pull away. Two penalties to Ballhaus and one to Perisic were followed by a fast ko-uchi-gari which placed a yuko on the Serbian’s side of the scoreboard.
Ballhaus pressured hard, hard enough to have the penalties equalised but it wasn’t enough. Serbia’s Marica Perisic has her first senior world medal after a fifth place in 2021 and a seventh in 2025.
Final (-57 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-57 kg)
