The women’s divisions brought new stories all day long from comebacks and breakthrough performances and an Olympic medallist stepping up in weight for useful test. Prague offered stories as rich as the judo itself.
The narrative began at -63kg, where French Olympic bronze medallist Sarah-Leonie Cysique tested herself outside her usual category. Experimenting with -63kg after years in the lighter division, the French judoka looked comfortable, even playful, throughout the day. She dispatched Turkey’s Ayten Mediha Yeksan in under two minutes with a clean sode-tsuri-gomi-goshi, and then overcame her compatriot Julie Falgon in the semi-final. In the final, she threw with confidence to secure gold, later reflecting: “It was really nice to fight in -63kg. I had some special practices to do and it was difficult, but throughout the day it felt good. It was also fun and no pressure. I am always motivated for a gold medal, and it worked out well.” For Cysique, this outing was not only about medals but also about preparing for the future, with the Tokyo Grand Slam and French Championships already on her radar.
Behind her, French Julie Falgon earned her first European Open medal with persistence, needing four minutes of golden score before producing a textbook uchi mata against Mina Libeer from Belgium in the bronze match. Croatia’s 20-year-old Nina Cvjetko also celebrated her first medal, defeating Romania’s Amanda Zuaznabar Torres in a contest she controlled from the opening seconds. For Cvjetko, the result carried extra meaning, as her sister Lara simultaneously captured gold at the Grand Prix in Qingdao. Together, the sisters now train in Split, marking a family moment for Croatian judo.
Podium -63kg with golden Sarah Leonie Cysique
-70kg Goia Vetterli armlocks Clemence Eme
At -70kg, the spotlight was expected to shine on France’s Clemence Eme, an experienced competitor finally reaching the final in Prague. But the day belonged to Switzerland’s Gioia Vetterli. Despite conceding an early score, Vetterli locked on an armlock with precision, forcing Eme to tap out. The victory marked Vetterli’s second European Open gold of the season after success in Ljubljana, adding weight to her reputation. For Eme, the silver was bittersweet, her first European Open medal despite a long list of international achievements.
The bronze medals told their own stories. Germany’s Tanja Gruenewald needed less than 90 seconds to overcome Hungary’s Rebeka Soczo, adding to her podium tally after success in Tallinn earlier this year. Britain’s Jemima Yeats-Brown, meanwhile, proved she is firmly back in contention. Nearly caught by oseikomi in her bronze bout, she escaped and eventually forced the win in golden score with a clever combination of sode-tsuri-gomi-goshi and ko-uchi-gari. For Yeats-Brown, a former European Open champion, the medal marked another step in her comeback under the guidance of coach Jean-Paul Bell.
Podium-70kg with gold for Swiss Gioia Vetterli
French Liz Ngelebeya changes silver into gold
The French continued their medal sweep at -78kg, with an all-French final between Liz Ngelebeya and Kaila Issoufi. Both athletes knew each other well, producing a tactical and cautious contest that drifted into golden score. Issoufi collected penalties along the way, and after five minutes her third infraction handed the victory to Ngelebeya. The gold was especially sweet for Ngelebeya, who had lost last year’s final to Anna-Monta Olek. This time she stood at the top of the podium, fulfilling the promise she showed in her cadet years as a heavyweight. Issoufi, a consistent medal collector at this level, had to settle for silver despite strong performances earlier in the day.
The bronze medals went to Britain’s Shelley Ludford, who benefited from Dutch opponent Berber Ludema’s third penalty, and Germany’s Raffaela Igl, who edged Maidelines Gorguet in golden score. For Ludford, it was her fifth European Open medal in five different cities, underlining her consistency. For Igl, it was redemption after last year’s silver in Prague, this time repeating her bronze-winning performance from Tallinn in July.
Podium -78kg with gold this time for Liz Ngelebeya
Heavyweight Grace-Esther Mienandi Lahou (20) youngest winner
The +78kg division provided the most physically dramatic final of the day, as Dutch fighter Paulien Sweers tried to outmaneuver France’s Grace-Esther Mienandi Lahou. Just 20 years old but already a European Open winner twice before, Mienandi Lahou eventually imposed her power. Sweers moved well, attacking with harai goshi and o-uchi combinations, but as the bout entered golden score, the French heavyweight capitalised on a takeover to clinch the gold. It was her third European Open title and made her the youngest women’s champion of the weekend. Despite defeat, Sweers left the mat with pride after a courageous performance against a heavier and stronger opponent.
The bronze medals completed a diverse podium. Dutch judoka Carmen Dijkstra threw Thalia Castellano Narino of Romania with a superb harai goshi to claim her second consecutive medal in Prague, while Uzbekistan’s Iriskhon Kurbanbaeva showed tactical sharpness against Kinga Wolszczak of Poland. After scoring early, Kurbanbaeva held her ground and in the final moments capitalised on Wolszczak’s desperation with a clean ippon counter, sealing her bronze.
Podium +78kg with gold for Grace-Esther Mienandi Lahou
Follow the lightweight women on day two of the Prague European Open on Sunday via judotv.com.
Judoka
Author: Hans Van Essen