Hershko Holds Firm to Claim Gold for Israel

All eyes were on Raz Hershko of Israel, the world medallist and Olympic finalist, in the women’s heavyweight division at the Lima Judo Grand Prix.

Despite strong opposition, she managed to reach the final after a demanding semi-final against France’s Grace-Esther Mienandi Lahou. On the other side of the draw, Emma-Melis Aktas of Estomina confirmed her excellent form, defeating Italian Asya Tavano to reach her first major final on the World Judo Tour.

A left-sided o-soto-gari from Hershko gave Hershko an immediate advantage, earning a yuko that set the tone for the contest. Aktas, however, showed great determination, continuing to pressure her opponent and forcing Hershko into two penalties.

The Estonian came close to turning the match around, but time ran out before she could complete the comeback. Gold for Raz Hershko, who once again demonstrated her experience at the highest level.

The women’s –78 kg category saw Metka Lobnik of Slovenia living up to her top-seed status, advancing confidently with clean and efficient judo. On the other side of the draw, France’s Kaila Issoufi produced one of the day’s most remarkable performances, eliminating former world champion Inbar Lanir early on.

The final promised to be a duel of precision, timing and tactical mastery. And after just over a minute, Issoufi received a first shido for a false attack as she tried to escape Lobnik’s forward pressure.

The Slovenian judoka maintained control, gradually tightening her grip and imposing her rhythm. During a transition to the ground, Lobnik freed her leg and successfully held Issoufi down for ippon, claiming the gold medal with authority.

The men’s –90 kg category saw Brazil’s Rafael Macedo and Azerbaijan’s Murad Fatiyev emerging as the last two standing, each having shown skill, determination and resilience.

The contest began at a furious pace. Fatiyev appeared to take an early lead with a yuko after just 20 seconds, following a counter near the edge of the tatami. However, after video review, it was confirmed that there had been no valid impact, and the score was cancelled.

It was then Macedo who seized control. With a strong hip movement, he scored a yuko to move ahead. Under pressure, he later received a penalty for passivity but in the following exchange he managed to transition smoothly into a beautifully executed juji-gatame. Fatiyev had no choice but to submit; ippon for Macedo and the gold medal for Brazil.

The men’s –100 kg division was equally exciting. After several spectacular throws and narrow escapes, Brazil’s Leonardo Gonçalves confirmed his strong form, while his teammate Giovani Ferreira, managed to overcome Olympic champion Zelym Kotsoiev in a tough semi-final.

The two Brazilian teammates spared no effort after a long day of competition. Halfway through the contest, the first shido went to Ferreira for passivity. With only that single penalty on the scoreboard, the bout moved into golden score.

Neither judoka seemed willing to give an inch, until Ferreira finally found the opening he had been waiting for — countering Gonçalves’s uchi-mata with perfect timing for ippon. It was a brilliant conclusion to the contest and marked Brazil’s fourth gold medal in Lima.

In the men’s heavyweight category, experience met legacy. Rafael Buzacarini of Brazil fought his way steadily through the rounds, defeating Ushangi Kokauri of Azerbaijan and Giannis Antoniou of Cyprus with tactical mastery. On the opposite side, Czech judo legend Lukáš Krpálek once again demonstrated why he remains one of the sport’s most respected and enduring champions.

The first half of the final passed quickly, with just one shido awarded to each competitor. Struggling a little in the standing exchanges, Krpálek waited patiently for his chance on the ground. At one point, he came very close to turning Buzacarini over, but the Brazilian resisted the immense pressure of the double Olympic champion.

As the contest moved into golden score, both judoka received a second shido, raising the tension even higher. Then came the decisive moment, Rafael Buzacarini, who had been so powerful until then, visibly tired and found himself on the ground, unable to resist any longer.

Lukáš Krpálek freed his leg and secured a hold-down for ippon, claiming his seventh grand prix gold medal. A true legend reaffirmed his place at the top of world judo.

RESULTS

Women’s +78 kg)

1. HERSHKO Raz (ISR)

2. AKTAS Emma-Melis (EST)

3. MISHINER Yuli Alma (ISR)

3. MIENANDI LAHOU Grace-Esther (FRA)

5. TAVANO Asya (ITA)

5. CURBELO TRAVIESO Dayanara (CUB)

7. QUIMBIRA Fernanda (ANG)

7. GARCIA SAVIGNE Gusmary (USA)

Women’s -78 kg

1. LOBNIK Metka (SLO)

2. ISSOUFI Kaila (FRA)

3. GODBOUT Coralie (CAN)

3. OLAYA Brenda (COL)

5. GIMENES Karol (BRA)

5. BRANSER Marie (GUI)

7. DUDENAITE Migle Julija (LTU)

7. KRAPU Emma (FIN)

Men’s -90 kg

1. MACEDO Rafael (BRA)

2. FATIYEV Murad (AZE)

3. KOPECKY Adam (CZE)

3. FALCONE Tiziano (ITA)

5. MINCINESI Cristiano (ITA)

5. MANDIC Vojin (SRB)

7. RUTOVIC Boris (SRB)

7. GALARRETA Yuta (PER)

Men’s -100 kg

1. FERREIRA Giovani (BRA)

2. GONCALVES Leonardo (BRA)

3. EICH Daniel (SUI)

3. DIESSE Aurelien (FRA)

5. KOTSOIEV Zelym (AZE)

5. MEKHOUKH Fares (FRA)

7. BEZDEK Martin (CZE)

7. DUINOVS Maksims (LAT)

Men’s +100 kg

1. KRPALEK Lukas (CZE)

2. BUZACARINI Rafael (BRA)

3. BALYEVSKYY Yevheniy (UKR)

3. NASIBOV Kanan (AZE)

5. PUUMALAINEN Martti (FIN)

5. ANTONIOU Giannis (CYP)

7. KOKAURI Ushangi (AZE)

7. LIMA Lucas (BRA)