One goal down and one to go for the current European Champion, Patricia SAMPAIO (POR). After winning her senior European title in April, she stated that she had two goals this year, and with one already ticked off the list, the Olympic bronze medallist has her sights set on a red back patch.
It’ll be a full Olympic podium line up in Budapest, welcoming back Alice BELLANDI (ITA) to the IJF World Judo Tour. In the past few years, she exploded in her new weight category, securing not one but two world medals, a bronze succeeded by a silver in 2024, and now a gold would complete that collection. It might be a big ask given her break, but only time will tell.
Top talent continues with Olympic silver medallist, and 2023 World Champion, Inbar LANIR (ISR). Though only 25 years old, it is incredible that there is already another front coming to challenge these established players. One of those is Germany’s rising star, Anna Monta OLEK. It has been success after success for Olek who is joining the ranks with Alina BOEHM, the pair battling it out and pushing each other for top spot in the team.
It’s also been quite the year for Emma REID (GBR) who has demonstrated consistency and grit to now be in the top eight in the world ranking and a part of history in this weight category, securing a world medal in 2024, defeating legend, Audrey TCHEUMEO (FRA) for bronze. More recently however she claimed the Grand Slam gold in Dushanbe.
Rounding out the Olympic podium is China’s MA Zhenzhao, and closing the top eight seeding position we have last years Junior World Champion, Brenda OLAYA (COL). Olaya stunned with this achievement and became one of the highlights of the tournament, however she has quickly immersed herself in the IJF World Judo Tour, taking the Tbilisi Grand Slam silver, and not only that, in April became the 20 year-old became the senior continental champion for Pan America and Oceania.
Though there are numerous strong athletes, eyes will be on the Netherlands entry, Guusje STEENHUIS is one of the most experienced in the category, with three world medals to her name, and is 10 years senior to her team mate, Like DERKS who has been gradually making a comeback from injury, and not such a bad one! This year, she narrowly missed out on podium places, settling for 5th place finishes in Paris and Baku.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen