-70kg Women: Brazil’s Valim Shines
World number one Lucie Rullier (FRA) entered as favourite and looked sharp in the early rounds but her run ended abruptly in the semi-final against Clarisse Valim (BRA). The Brazilian showed no hesitation in the final, defeating Charlie Thibault (CAN) in under a minute. A swift tsuri-komi-goshi opened the scoring before Valim transitioned seamlessly into an armlock for ippon. It was a commanding performance that underlined Brazil’s strength in depth, with Valim joining her compatriot Clarice Ribeiro among the gold medallists of the week.
The bronze medals went to Diana Benkova (POL), who outmanoeuvred Kaho Tsuneda (JPN) with a clever action–reaction exchange, and Keti Robakidze (GEO), who benefited after Rullier was unable to compete in their medal bout.
-90kg Men: Suleimanov Dominates
The story of the men’s -90kg category was one of power and precision. Top seed Majus Genys (LTU) fell early, leaving space for new contenders. Maksim Strokun (BLR) impressed on his way to the final but there he met the unstoppable Abdula Suleimanov (IJF). After a cautious start, Suleimanov struck with a low, perfectly executed uchi-mata, that left no doubt; ippon and the world title.
The bronze medals were shared by Giorgi Zurabashvili (GEO), who threw Cesar De Godoy Tristante (BRA) with a sharp seoi-otoshi, and Francesco Mazzon (ITA), who persevered through a tense golden score contest against Apti Utsiev (IJF) before finally landing his trademark tomoe-nage.
+70kg Women: Nigmatova Adds to Uzbekistan’s Golden Tally
Uzbekistan’s spectacular week continued in the women’s +70 kg category where Umida Nigmatova powered her way to the final against world number one Emma Feuillet--Nguimgo (FRA). The Frenchwoman defended bravely but Nigmatova’s sheer strength proved decisive. With an explosive throw for ippon, she secured the fifth gold medal of the championships for Uzbekistan, underlining their dominance in Sofia.
In the bronze medal contests, Kristyna Kaszperova (CZE) held on to an early lead to defeat Akmarzhan Turdazhieva (KGZ), while Misuzu Katsumata (JPN) sealed Japan’s medal with a late ko-uchi-gari against Zuzana Podzemna (CZE).
+90kg Men: Abalaki Brings Georgia More Glory
The final heavyweight crown of the championships went to Ioane Abalaki (GEO). After a dramatic semi-final win over Melichar Skoda (CZE) in the closing seconds, Abalaki faced Kaito Tokita (JPN) in the gold medal contest. Both men were visibly fatigued after a gruelling day, but it was Abalaki who found the decisive moment just twelve seconds into golden score, launching Tokita with a monumental sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi for ippon. The result delivered Georgia its fifth medal of the championships.
The bronze medals went to Giorgi Karchaidze (GEO), who overcame Kanta Ueyama (USA) with a strong seoi-otoshi, and Adilzhan Zhaudinov (KAZ), who defeated Skoda with two waza-ari scores.
A Powerful Close to the Individuals
With day four concluded, the individual programme came to an end on a high note, marked by Brazil, Uzbekistan, the IJF team and Georgia all claiming heavyweight golds. The variety of nations represented on the podium once again highlighted the global spread of talent at cadet level.
All attention now turns to Sunday’s mixed team event, a celebration of unity, national pride and the collective spirit of judo.