In the -63 kg category, Slovenia’s Ilariia Tsurkan lived up to her billing as one of the brightest hopes of her nation, but in the final she was frustrated by Aishat Alieva (IJF) who claimed her first world cadet crown with a decisive armlock in golden score. France celebrated through Chloé Jean, who secured bronze, while Laryssa Fonseca (BRA) completed the podium.
The -57 kg category saw Mongolia strike gold thanks to Tsendbazar Mashbat, who defeated Japan’s Nonoka Tamakawa in a gripping final to secure her country’s first title of the day. The bronze medals went to Magdalena Walega (POL) and Enkhjin Gankhuyag (MGL).
In the -73 kg division, Serbia’s top seed Veljko Varnicic executed his tactical plan to perfection in the final against Keisho Mitsuishi (JPN), using a well-timed sumi-gaeshi to capture the gold medal. The bronze medals were shared by Sadulla Ravshanov (UZB) and Vasil Gamezardashvili (GEO).
Finally, the -81kg category produced a day of upsets. Uzbekistan’s Inomjon Bakhodirov continued his outstanding run, defeating Georgia’s Giorgi Mumladze in the final with a stranglehold to claim his nation’s fourth gold of the week. Tajus Babaicenko (LTU) and Timur Aliev (IJF) secured the bronze medals.
Overall, day three showcased the full spectrum of cadet judo: favourites confirming their class, outsiders rising to the occasion and new champions announcing themselves on the world stage.