-70 kg: Gold Not Silver for Silva / IJF.org

In the -70 kg category it was the fourth and seventh seeds who made it through to the final, Nauana Silva (BRA) and Aleksandra Kowalewska (POL), respectively. Sanne Van Dijke (NED) and Lara Cvjetko (CRO), among the most decorated athletes of the group, didn’t deliver their best day and that left the field open for others to take the reins.

Silva (BRA) and Kowalewska (POL) in action.

FInal: Nauana Silva (BRA) vs Aleksandra Kowalewska (POL)

Nauana Silva opened play with a series of powerful attacks, several coming close to scoring but Kowaleswska was able to avoid trouble. A shido was inevitable. Another followed a minute later to put Kowaleska under a new pressure.

Silva's (BRA) uchi-mata.

With 46 seconds left on the clock, Silva hooked in and produced the lowest uchi-mata imaginable. She rolled her opponent on to her back cleanly and precisely for ippon.

Nauana Silva (BRA) takes gold in Zagreb.

After the final, Nauana Silva spoke joyously about her day, “I am very happy but am staying very focused mentally and in spirit. When I came here today, my expectation and goal was the gold medal and everything went the right way. This is my first medal in Croatia and my first gold on the World Judo Tour.”

Bronze medal contest: April Lynn Fohouo (SUI) vs Sanna Van Dijke (NED)

April Lynn Fohouo opened this contest without hesitation, scoring a yuko with an immediate sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi. Sanne Van Dijke may not have been expecting such a situation and looked disturbed having to chase from so early in the contest.

April Lynn Fohouo (SUI) attacks on the ground.

Van Dijke tried to get back into the contest but everywhere she attacked, Fohouo was ready, always punishing the Dutch champion with her gripping. Her positioning was also spot on and no matter what Van Dijke did, Fohouo had it covered. The initial yuko was the winning score at the end of the four minutes, giving Fohouo only her second grand prix medal.

April Lynn Fohouo (SUI) wins bronze.

Bronze medal contest: Clemence Eme (FRA) vs Maya Goshen (ISR)

Maya Goshen had done her homework and knew how to handle Eme’s attacks. She scored a waza-ari with a well prepared counter at the halfway point and looked to be well ahead. However, Clemence Eme, determined not to allow the medal to slip away, scored an equaliser with a persistent de-ashi-harai. This took them into golden score.

Goshen's (ISR) counter.

From there the penalties began to put Eme in further danger, two against none on Goshen’s side. She picked up the pace but couldn’t make her movement count and eventually a third shido came her way. Goshen had won the bronze!

Maya Goshen (ISR) is relieved to have her medal.

Final (-70 kg)

SILVA Nauana (BRA) vs KOWALEWSKA Aleksandra (POL)

Bronze Medal Fights (-70 kg)

FOHOUO April Lynn (SUI) vs VAN DIJKE Sanne (NED)

EME Clemence (FRA) vs GOSHEN Maya (ISR)

Medals, cheques and flowers were presented by representative of the Mayor of the City of Zagreb Mr Krešimir Makvic and 2026 Zagreb Grand Prix Event Director Mr Mario Krvavac.

Final Results (-70 kg)

1. SILVA Nauana (BRA)

2. KOWALEWSKA Aleksandra (POL)

3. FOHOUO April Lynn (SUI)

3. GOSHEN Maya (ISR)

5. VAN DIJKE Sanne (NED)

5. EME Clemence (FRA)

7. SCHENK Magdalena (POL)

7. CVJETKO Lara (CRO)