The bronze medal contests also promised strong match-ups, with Emma-Melis Aktas (EST) taking on Yuli Alma Mishiner (ISR) and Leonie Minkada-Caquineau (FRA) facing Safa Soliman (EGY). The +78 kg final block was set to provide a fitting conclusion to the women’s individual competition.
Final
Celia Cancan (FRA) vs Umida Nigmatova (UZB)
Nigmatova gave everything she had, putting Cancan under pressure repeatedly. The French judoka, however, relied on her experience to recover from each attack. First, she countered beautifully with a ko-uchi-gake for waza-ari, then followed up with a clean hip movement to score again, confirming her long-awaited world title, finally breaking her streak of near misses.
Bronze medal contests
Leonie Minkada-Caquineau (FRA) vs Safa Soliman (EGY)
There was little suspense in this bout. Minkada-Caquineau opened with a sharp uchi-mata that lacked only the flat-back finish for ippon, but she corrected that with her next attack, throwing Soliman with another hip technique for a decisive ippon and the bronze medal.
Emma-Melis Aktas (EST) vs Yuli Alma Mishiner (ISR)
Having already shown excellent tactical awareness in earlier rounds, Mishiner once again demonstrated her strategic control, forcing her opponent to make mistakes and concede penalties to claim a well-earned bronze medal for Israel.
Final (+78 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (+78 kg)
