The last day of the World Judo Championships 2025 saw the Mixed Teams go head to head for the ultimate title.
Italy battled past Uzbekistan in the repechage to meet Germany for the bronze medal contest, who lost out to the Republic of Korea in the semi final. Italy finished in silver medal position in the European Championships and Germany left with bronze, so both were continuing their incredible form in Budapest.
The first team members on the tatami were the +100kg men; Gennaro PIRELLI (ITA) and Losseni KONE (GER). Both quickly picked up two shidos each, but it was Kone to put the first score on the board, lifting Pirelli and taking him back with a huge ko soto. Still, there was a long time left on the clock and Kone managed to defend his winning position to make the score 1-0 to Germany. After winning the medal, Losseni stated,
The team was driving me and I was much stronger than I thought I could be!
Next up were Giulia CARNA (ITA) and current European Champion, Seija BALLHAUS (GER). Another win was added to the German team’s tally, following an o soto gari score from Ballhaus.
After Losseni won his contest, I was so much more motivated for my contest, and it was so fun to win a medal with the team.
Giovanni ESPOSITO (ITA) must have been feeling some pressure as he approached the tatami, really needing a win to bring his team back in to the running for a medal, and on the other side, Igor WANDTKE wanted to edge a little closer to a 4-0 win. In to the last minute, Wandtke had two shidos, and Esposito took a yuko score from a drop seoi nage, then in the next exchange, Wandtke tried to counter a harai attempt from Esposito, who changed the direction of the throw, scoring ippon. Of course it didn’t go the way he wanted, but the benefit of the team event is that you have one another’s back as Wandtke explained,
Irene PEDROTTI (ITA) was on great form in the preliminary rounds, but she was facing the world bronze medallist, Miriam BUTKEREIT (GER). The latter scored yuko with a spinning uchi mata in the first minute, immediately putting the pressure on her opponent. In the end, this was enough to make it 3-1 to Germany.
The current European Champion, Christian PARLATI (ITA) was next on to face the Tokyo Olympic silver medallist, Eduard TRIPPEL (GER). Though given recent results, favour lay with the Italian competitor, but Trippel pulled an incredible kata guruma out of his bag of tricks to score waza ari in the first half of the contest.
Trippel won the championship point for Germany, bringing them the World bronze medal in style!
I felt a lot of pressure, but none from my team. They just told me ‘you’ve had a great day’ and for me it was better than usual, and in the end, I was part of winning our world bronze medal.
Men’s coach, Marko SPITKA was very happy with their achievement and it aligns with the goals they have set in place,
I am really so happy, especially happy for the men’s side, now everyone can see that the first step is coming. Their individual days were not so strong, but here they really came together and showed what they’re capable of. Now they have a world bronze medal.
To take this medal at the worlds is a huge step, and that is very important for the whole team and I’m really happy that the men and women came together to win this medal, it’s important for the coaches, for the staff, it’s a big step for Germany and I hope the medal makes that point.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen