Amber Gersjes Turns Years of Patience Into a Grand Slam Breakthrough

Amber Gersjes has found her reward on the World Judo Tour. The Dutch -48kg judoka, speaking to the EJU, reflected on a long road that finally brought her first Grand Slam podium and then her first Grand Slam title in 2026.

For Gersjes, the key words are simple: patience and confidence. At 28, she points to those qualities as the difference between early promise and senior-level success after years of steady work.

She arrived on the senior scene with strong credentials already behind her, including junior world and European titles as well as multiple European Cup medals. Her Grand Slam debut came in Düsseldorf in 2018, and like many athletes moving up from junior level, she quickly discovered that talent alone was not enough.

Gersjes said she had a strong base from her junior years, but also admitted she was not patient at first. In her view, senior judo required more balance and more fine-tuning, and that adjustment took time.

That time stretched across nearly eight years on the World Judo Tour. She remained competitive, winning medals at Grand Prix and European Open events, but the Grand Slam podium stayed just out of reach through 13 appearances.

Patience finally met results for Amber Gersjes in 2026.

What kept her moving was not only ambition, but also her connection to the sport itself. Gersjes described judo as her happy place, explaining that even in difficult periods, returning to the basics and enjoying the game helped her stay motivated.

A new team and renewed confidence also played an important role. Gersjes said she now feels stronger every day, and that sense of belief seems to have changed the margins in her favor.

The turning point came at the 2026 Dushanbe Grand Slam, where she reached the first World Judo Tour final of her career and left with silver. Just one week later in Kazakhstan, she went one better and captured the first Grand Slam title of her career.

For a judoka who had spent years knocking on the door, it was a sharp and emotional shift. The breakthrough did not arrive out of nowhere, but through persistence, consistency and a willingness to keep building.

Gersjes also highlighted the value of the European Open circuit in her development. She called it a great introduction to senior judo, praising the supportive atmosphere of EJU events while also noting the professionalism and level required to prepare athletes for the top stage.

She believes senior competition is often decided by very small differences. According to Gersjes, top athletes are close in quality, so confidence in your own strengths becomes crucial during a fight.

Now that she has broken through at Grand Slam level, her goals are direct. She wants to compete for gold, keep pushing every day and deliver the result that matters most.

The next important stop is the 2026 Mongolia Grand Slam from 19 to 21 June, where the road toward the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 begins to carry greater weight. Even with that bigger target ahead, Gersjes is trying to stay grounded and enjoy the journey as it unfolds.

After years of waiting, Gersjes has changed her Grand Slam story fast.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union