Another 12 medals were added to Europe’s tally on the second day of the Upper Austria Grand Prix, including two golden moments, each with its own compelling story. Despite Europe’s strong showing, Japan remains at the top of the overall medal table with three gold, one silver and one bronze medal, followed by Brazil and Azerbaijan. Here is how the action unfolded during the final block on day two.
As on the opening day, Europe wasted no time in securing medals. Both bronze medals in the -63kg category went to Israel. Kerem Primo (ISR) defeated Sara-Joy Bauer (GER) to step onto the podium, while Gili Sharir (ISR) claimed the second bronze after overcoming Laura Vazquez Fernandez (ESP).
The final featured a fascinating clash between Olympic and double world bronze medallist Laura Fazliu (KOS) and Olympic and double world champion Rafaela Silva (BRA), who recently claimed victory at the Paris Grand Slam 2026 in the same weight category. Both judoka entered the contest determined to throw, delivering exactly the kind of attacking judo the crowd appreciates. It was a contest fought at the highest level between two athletes who know how to reach the podium. As the final minute approached, Silva found the decisive moment, scoring a yuko with a well-timed throw. Fazliu pushed hard in the closing seconds but could not overturn the score. Silva celebrated gold, while Fazliu secured silver after a strong campaign.
Attention then turned to the -73kg category, where European judoka dominated the final. Bilal Ciloglu (TUR) faced Ethan Nairne (GBR), who had produced the performance of his career to reach his first World Judo Tour final block. On his remarkable path to the final, Nairne defeated no fewer than three Olympic medallists, Denis Vieru (MDA), Fabio Basile (ITA) and Daniel Cargnin (BRA), surprising them all with his relentless pace and attacking style.
Ciloglu proved more prepared than Nairne’s earlier opponents, successfully neutralising many of the Briton’s preferred attacks. Yet Nairne remained undeterred, maintaining constant pressure throughout the contest. As time progressed, Ciloglu began to slow, while Nairne’s intensity never faded. Two minutes into golden score, the British judoka launched a sharp o-soto-gari, scoring yuko and sealing a memorable victory. Ethan Nairne became only the third British man to win a Grand Prix gold medal since the establishment of the World Judo Tour in 2009, a reward for his exceptional work rate and composure in a stacked field.
Next came the -70kg category, traditionally one of Europe’s strongest divisions and once again the continent dominated the podium. Tais Pina (POR) and Dena Pohl (GER) secured the bronze medals, while the final delivered the moment the home crowd had been waiting for. Double Olympic medallist Michaela Polleres (AUT) stepped onto the tatami to face rising Swiss judoka April Lynn Fohouo (SUI).
The contest was intense and explosive from the opening exchange. Both athletes attacked repeatedly while skilfully evading danger. Eventually, experience proved decisive. After more than four minutes of high-paced action, Polleres launched a final flurry of attacks that tipped Fohouo off balance completely, scoring ippon and sending the Austrian crowd into celebration. A host nation gold always brings special energy and this moment was no exception.
The final contest of the evening came in the -81kg category. Bronze medals were secured by Mihajlo Simin (SRB) and Omar Rajabli (AZE). In the gold medal contest, 2025 Lima Grand Prix winner Vusal Galandarzade (AZE) faced Adilet Almat (KAZ), who was appearing in a World Judo Tour final block for the first time.
Galandarzade opened the scoring early, countering for yuko just ninety seconds into the contest. However, he had already accumulated two penalties, forcing him into a more cautious approach. As he focused on protecting his lead, an opportunity emerged for Almat. Seizing the moment, the Kazakh judoka launched a fast sumi-gaeshi, scoring waza-ari before transitioning immediately into a hold-down. With that decisive sequence, the gold medal headed to Kazakhstan.
Source: IJF/Jo Crowley. Images: IJF/ Gabriela Sabau
Author: Szandra Szogedi