In pool C, the hierarchy was respected as Aishat Alieva (IJF) advanced without difficulty, booking her place among the last four. Pool D, however, was always expected to provide drama, as top seed Maralmaa Khurelchuluun (MGL) faced a tricky opening contest against Nanami Morita (JPN). The danger was real; Morita unleashed a spectacular uchi-mata for ippon, eliminating the Mongolian at the very first hurdle.
The Japanese judoka looked sharp and continued her run into the quarter-final but her momentum was halted by Alieva, who seized the chance to qualify for her first world cadet championship final.
As expected, Ilariia Tsurkan also reached the final, producing a precise and dominant display against Gulbani in their semi-final. The gold medal contest was thus set: Tsurkan (SLO) vs Alieva (IJF).
The least one can say is that the final was tense and uncertain throughout normal time. It was only in golden score that matters were decided. After a confused exchange on the ground, Alieva applied an unstoppable armlock, forcing submission and claiming the world title; a gold medal for Aishat Alieva.
France also celebrated success through Chloé Jean, who enjoyed an excellent run during the day. In the repechage she produced a commanding performance against Maia Thomson (CAN). That victory was already enough to secure a place on the podium, as her scheduled opponent for the bronze medal contest, Nanami Morita (JPN), was unable to compete, handing Jean the medal by default.
The second bronze medal contest was far more uncertain, with Laryssa Fonseca (BRA) and Nana Gulbani (GEO) battling it out for the remaining place on the podium. Fonseca struck first with a well-timed yuko and held onto her advantage until the final gong, joining her teammate Clarice Ribeiro among Brazil’s medallists. Another success for Brazil.
Final (-63 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-63 kg)
