It was a calculated start for Sanne VAN DIJKE (NED) and Ai TSUNODA ROUSTANT (ESP) in the first -70kg bronze medal fight of the 2025 World Championships 2025. These athletes came out from very different places, Van Dijke hunting a third World medal, and Tsunoda her first on the senior circuit. For this reason it was a patient start for both.
Before today, Van Dijke was in the lead, 2:0 in their head to heads, but it seemed that Tsunoda had a tactical plan to avoid the score, it wasn’t enough, the experience and determination of her Dutch opponent did not trump her desire for a first medal.
So how does the world ranked #5 stay so consistent?
I think just taking care of my body and always getting the best out of my training. The fire is never quite gone and I think it’s because I’m still looking for the big medal, so maybe thats they key… don’t want he big medal too soon! Stay hungry!
Budapest is a special place for this particular athlete, was she excited to return?
I love Budapest! I won my first world medal here, I won the Masters here, so it’s always well organised, the hotel is close, no time difference, it’s perfect, I’m very happy to be here.
When asking if she felt the gap closing between herself and Tsunoda, she explained, with a world bronze medal-smile,
She’s not going to close the gap, but you know she’s still really young, these are the years where you improve on your strength so I yeah I definitely felt that today!
And what of the others in her own team? Does Van Dijke feel the pressure?
In the -70kg category in the Netherlands, you’re never alone, but my aim is to win the World Championships and Olympic Games, so my focus isn’t on other Dutch people, I know they’re good, I know they’re strong, but I want to be the best in the world, and if I’m that then I’m already the best Dutch player.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen