All eyes were on Raz Hershko of Israel, the world medallist and Olympic finalist, in the women\u2019s heavyweight division at the Lima Judo Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite strong opposition, she managed to reach the final after a demanding semi-final against France\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The women\u2019s \u201378 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\u2019s Kaila Issoufi produced one of the day\u2019s most remarkable performances, eliminating former world champion Inbar Lanir early on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s forward pressure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The men\u2019s \u201390 kg category saw Brazil\u2019s Rafael Macedo and Azerbaijan\u2019s Murad Fatiyev emerging as the last two standing, each having shown skill, determination and resilience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The men\u2019s \u2013100 kg division was equally exciting. After several spectacular throws and narrow escapes, Brazil\u2019s Leonardo Gon\u00e7alves confirmed his strong form, while his teammate Giovani Ferreira, managed to overcome Olympic champion Zelym Kotsoiev in a tough semi-final. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Neither judoka seemed willing to give an inch, until Ferreira finally found the opening he had been waiting for \u2014 countering Gon\u00e7alves\u2019s uchi-mata with perfect timing for ippon. It was a brilliant conclusion to the contest and marked Brazil\u2019s fourth gold medal in Lima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the men\u2019s 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 Luk\u00e1\u0161 Krp\u00e1lek once again demonstrated why he remains one of the sport\u2019s most respected and enduring champions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first half of the final passed quickly, with just one shido awarded to each competitor. Struggling a little in the standing exchanges, Krp\u00e1lek 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luk\u00e1\u0161 Krp\u00e1lek 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RESULTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. HERSHKO Raz (ISR)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. AKTAS Emma-Melis (EST)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. MISHINER Yuli Alma (ISR)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. MIENANDI LAHOU Grace-Esther (FRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. TAVANO Asya (IT<\/a>A)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. CURBELO TRAVIESO Dayanara (CUB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. QUIMBIRA Fernanda (ANG)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. GARCIA SAVIGNE Gusmary (USA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Women’s -78 kg<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. LOBNIK Metka (SLO)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. ISSOUFI Kaila (FRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. GODBOUT Coralie (CAN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. OLAYA Brenda (COL)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. GIMENES Karol (BRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. BRANSER Marie (GUI)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. DUDENAITE Migle Julija (LTU)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. KRAPU Emma (FIN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. MACEDO Rafael (BRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. FATIYEV Murad (AZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. KOPECKY Adam (CZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. FALCONE Tiziano (ITA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. MINCINESI Cristiano (ITA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. MANDIC Vojin (SRB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. RUTOVIC Boris (SRB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. GALARRETA Yuta (PER)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. FERREIRA Giovani (BRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. GONCALVES Leonardo (BRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. EICH Daniel (SUI)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. DIESSE Aurelien (FRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. KOTSOIEV Zelym (AZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. MEKHOUKH Fares (FRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. BEZDEK Martin (CZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. DUINOVS Maksims (LAT)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. KRPALEK Lukas (CZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. BUZACARINI Rafael (BRA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. BALYEVSKYY Yevheniy (UKR)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. NASIBOV Kanan (AZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. PUUMALAINEN Martti (FIN)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. ANTONIOU Giannis (CYP)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. KOKAURI Ushangi (AZE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. LIMA Lucas (BRA)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" All eyes were on Raz Hershko of Israel, the world medallist and Olympic finalist, in the women\u2019s heavyweight<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4598,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[106],"class_list":["post-4597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsbeat","tag-judo"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Raz-Hershko-ISR-vs-Emma-Melis-Aktas-EST.jpg",640,489,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Raz-Hershko-ISR-vs-Emma-Melis-Aktas-EST-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Raz-Hershko-ISR-vs-Emma-Melis-Aktas-EST-300x229.jpg",300,229,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Raz-Hershko-ISR-vs-Emma-Melis-Aktas-EST.jpg",640,489,false],"large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Raz-Hershko-ISR-vs-Emma-Melis-Aktas-EST.jpg",640,489,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Raz-Hershko-ISR-vs-Emma-Melis-Aktas-EST.jpg",640,489,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Raz-Hershko-ISR-vs-Emma-Melis-Aktas-EST.jpg",640,489,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Raz-Hershko-ISR-vs-Emma-Melis-Aktas-EST.jpg",640,489,false],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Raz-Hershko-ISR-vs-Emma-Melis-Aktas-EST-590x410.jpg",590,410,true]},"author_info":{"info":["admin"]},"category_info":"Newsbeat<\/a>","tag_info":"Newsbeat","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Final-Raz-Hershko-ISR-vs-Emma-Melis-Aktas-EST.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4597","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4597"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4597\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4599,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4597\/revisions\/4599"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4598"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4597"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4597"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Women’s +78 kg)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Men’s -90 kg<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Men’s -100 kg<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Men’s +100 kg<\/h4>\n\n\n\n