The category began with top seed Milica Nikolic (SRB), not so comfortable for a change, with two penalties against her before hanging to score ippon over Amanda Lima (BRA). The regular grand slam medallist began in similar fashion against Khalimajon Kurbonova (UZB) but won with a well-executed osae-komi.
She managed to find the rhythm in the semi-final too and Lois Petit (BEL) found herself on the losing end of a koshi-waza, securing the spot in the final.
Babulfath, meanwhile, showed early glimpses of what would follow, surprising Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ). The Kazakh judoka had earned a waza-ari and ippon against Priscilla Morand (MRI) before running into the Swedish sensation. The 2022 world bronze medallist was not her usual self, exiting after a hansoku-make against Babulfath.
The rising star, in her first grand slam final, began in a composed manner. She waited patiently against the experienced Nikolic, forcing it to golden score. There the youngster pushed Nikolic to be penalised continuing to test her. Patience was the name of the game as she kept her composure to put her in the perfect position to stun Nikolic with an osae-komi in golden score.
It took a moment of replaying and reviewing for the first bronze medal to be assigned and it was eventually ippon for Khalimajon Kurbonova (UZB) against Mireia Lapuerta Comas (ESP) of Spain.
The second bronze medal saw Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ) and Lois Petit (BEL) battle it out. It was an error-prone start with each judoka receiving a shido before the Belgian was warned a second time. When the third arrived it sent the bronze medal to Abuzhakynova, opening her grand slam account for 2024.
Final (-48 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-48 kg)
