In Alice BELLANDI’s return to the tatami, her first appearance since her Olympic achievement, she dominated without question in her opening contests, only truly facing a challenge in her quarter final against MA Zhenzhao (CHN) when she fell behind by a yuko scored that she wasn’t entirely convinced by. This resulted in immediate action from Bellandi who went directly for a sode tsurikomi goshi, scoring a contest-winning waza ari to send her in to the semi final.
For two consecutive years, Bellandi has been on the -78kg World podium, climbing from bronze to silver position in 2024, but still, she wants to marry her gold back patch with a red one, then all that is left is a European title. Last in her way was Metna LOBNIK (SLO), who was not a match for Bellandi’s determination today, ceding three yuko scores and eventually two waza ari scores before the four minutes were up.
On the other side of the draw, many expected Olympic bronze medallist and current European Champion, Patricia SAMPAIO (POR) to see Bellandi for the title, but Germany’s Anna Monta OLEK fought fiercely, avenging team mate Alina BOEHM in her quarter final, defeating IKEDA Kurena (JPN) with only 18 seconds left on the clock. Then against Sampaio, she dominated, forcing two shidos on Sampaio and then threw with uchi mata to score yuko, and her place in the world final. Mimicking last year, it will be Italy versus Germany.
Sampaio will meet MA Zhenzhao (CHN) for the bronze medal and on the other side of the draw, Lobnbik will take on Ikeda.
Unfortunately for Zelym KOTSOIEV (AZE), he couldn’t continue the Olympic Champion trend, suffering a loss to Arman ADAMIAN (IJF) in the quarter final, and then had an incredibly tough contest against Nikoloz SHERAZADISHVILI (ESP), both scoring waza ari and heading in to golden score. Finally Kotsoiev took the win and is still in with a chance of medal, his final opponent will be KIM Seheon (KOR).
Though Adamian secured the win against the Olympic Champion, he was not able to continue the success against team mate, Matvey KANIKOVSKIY (IJF). Not for a lack of trying of course, Adamian picking up only one shido as they passed the four minutes in to golden score, but a huge tsuri goshi from Kanikovskiy put him in to his first fight for a senior world medal, the gold, and Adamian will hope to stand with his team mate on the podium if he can move past Dzhafar KOSTOEV (UAE).
The final will be an interesting match, and favour lies with Kanikovskiy today, defeating final opponent ARAI Dota (JPN) twice in the past, both times on home soil in the Tokyo Grand Slam in under a minute. Undoubtedly, the 2024 European Champion will want a repeat of this scenario.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen