On the seventh and final day of individual competition we will see the +78kg women take to the tatami to decide the World Champion status. The finalists in 2024, TOMITA Wakaba (JPN) and Kayra OZDEMIR (TUR) won’t be present so the title is up for grabs.
Leading the category is Romane DICKO (FRA) who picked up her senior World title in 2022, but missed out on being able to defend it in 2023 as Asya TAVANO (ITA) eliminated her in the early rounds. The Italian European bronze medallist lies outside of seeding position in Budapest, but she will chasing a medal, placing fifth last year and coming incredibly close.
Raz HESHKO (ISR) is still on the hunt for her World title, her closes attempt being a bronze medal in 2023, but the European silver medallist is in incredible form and all is possible. That being said, sandwiched between the front runners from Europe is the current Olympic Champion who bested Hershko in Paris, Beatriz SOUZA (BRA).
Asia have a strong presence in this category, listing 2024 senior World bronze medallist, KIM Hayun and 2024 junior World Champion, LEE Hyeonji (KOR) as well as ARAI Mao (JPN) in the top eight. Joining Kim on the podium last year, doubling up Turkiye’s success was Hilal OZTURK.
The Netherlands will have a double chance of a medal, with seeded entry Marit KAMPS and Karen STEVENSON, Kamps has been on a roll this year, securing two Grand Slam medals in Baku and Tbilisi.
One to watch will be Sophio SOMKHISHVILI (GEO), though further down in the ranking, she demonstrated her abilities and fire in the European Championships 2025 during the Mixed Team event, winning Georgia the gold medal against Italy in the ultimate decider. After losing to Tavano in their first match up, it was a sensational comeback and could very well influence her performance next week!
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen