There, she met Great Britain’s Tatum Keen, who had yet to claim a medal at either grand slam or grand prix level. Every career has a starting point though and for Keen, that moment came today as she secured her place in the final at Cuq’s expense.
In the bottom half of the draw, Gefen Primo (ISR) and Sofia Asvesta (CYP) appeared to be the favourites. However, it was a familiar name on the World Judo Tour who emerged instead: France’s Blandine Pont, a three-time grand slam winner at -48 kg (Paris, Tel Aviv and Antalya), all in 2023. Back at her very best, confident and technically sharp, Pont gave her opponents at no opportunity and powered her way into the final, where she faced Keen.
The final began at a high intensity, with strong gripping exchanges and dangerous groundwork sequences. Pont, however, appeared the more active of the two, which was reflected on the scoreboard as penalties began to favour the French judoka. With just under a minute remaining, she took a decisive step towards victory, scoring a yuko with an o-soto-gari at the edge of the contest area. Maintaining full control through her gripping, Pont saw out the contest with composure to secure her fourth grand slam gold medal, this one at -52 kg.
Sita Kadamboeva (UZB) and Gabriela Dimitrova (BUL) contested the first bronze medal fight. After a long and demanding day of judo, it was Dimitrova who emerged victorious, scoring a yuko to claim the medal.
Gefen Primo (ISR) and Pauline Cuq (FRA) battled for the remaining place on the podium. Cuq showed determination and persistence, constantly looking to score but against the experience of Primo, it was not enough. Conceding three yuko scores, she was ultimately defeated, though without ever giving up. Primo claimed her 11th grand slam medal.
Final (-52 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-52 kg)
