At the top of the draw, the number one seed Anna Monta Olek (GER) fully justified her status as favourite. The 2025 world silver medallist advanced with assurance, methodically dismantling the opposition. Sevinch Mahmudjonova (UZB), Viktoriia Likhacheva (RUS) and Mao Izumi (JPN) all fell to the German’s precision and tactical control as she powered her way into the final.
In the bottom half of the draw, Zhenzhao Ma (CHN), the winner in Tashkent last year, appeared well positioned to repeat her success. However, her campaign came to an abrupt halt in the quarter-finals at the hands of Aleksandra Babintseva (RUS). Babintseva’s run was stopped in turn by a surging Kaila Issoufi (FRA), who stormed through each stage of the competition with explosive energy and attacking intent. With both Olek and Issoufi in formidable form, anticipation was palpable for a final rich in intensity.
Issoufi’s tactical plan was clear. She needed to control Olek’s sleeve to neutralise the German’s powerful makikomi attacks and wait patiently for the right counter opportunity. She executed that strategy superbly. The French judoka scored an initial yuko before adding a waza-ari with a perfectly timed counter that was close to ippon. Maintaining her focus, Issoufi transitioned immediately into groundwork, securing a hold and flowing into an armlock sequence; ippon. It was a performance of maturity and precision, earning her a first grand slam gold medal.
In the first bronze medal contest, Karol Gimenes (BRA) faced Babintseva. There was little suspense. The Russian scored a yuko twice early on before finishing with a hold-down for ippon and the bronze medal.
The second bronze medal was decided in an all-Japanese encounter between Mami Umeki and Izumi. The contest appeared destined for golden score when, with around thirty seconds remaining, Umeki's anticipated tani-otoshi scored a yuko and was the solution to secure the bronze medal, the nineteenth of her grand slam career.
Final (-78 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-78 kg)
