Danno took silver at the Tokyo Grand Slam in 2024 before winning gold at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in 2025. She also placed fifth at the Paris Grand Slam in 2025.
The final went into golden score before Danno found the decisive opening. The Japanese judoka scored a yuko with ko-uchi-gake to take gold.
Megu Danno explained, "I knew that winning this grand slam was critical for me to remain competitive in the domestic selections, so I went into it with absolute determination to take the title. My final opponent, from Slovenia, was extremely powerful early on, so my plan was to weather that initial strength. Once the match progressed into the later stages, I was able to find my rhythm and knew it was my time to attack. The venue here in Budapest is massive and with so many supportive fans cheering me on, it didn't feel like competing away from home at all."
The bronze medal contests also offered considerable depth. Laura Fazliu (KOS), Olympic bronze medallist at the Paris Olympic Games and world bronze medallist in Abu Dhabi in 2024 and Budapest in 2025, faced Kerem Primo (ISR). Austria’s Lubjana Piovesana met Ariela Sanchez Benitez (ESP) in the second contest.
Primo and Fazliu remained level for a long time, but a small yuko in golden score allowed Primo to celebrate winning a bronze medal. The second bronze medal went to Sanchez Benitez following a tactical victory over Piovesana.
Final (-63 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-63 kg)
