Eight Golds Put Great Britain on Top in Lausanne

Great Britain set the pace at the Ecole Mont-Olivet Lausanne Adapted Judo Grand Slam, finishing first in the medal table after a standout weekend of international Judo. The event at Vaudoise Arena brought senior Level 1 and Level 2 athletes together in the same setting as the World Judo Tour.

The British team collected eight gold, five silver and three bronze medals, a total that highlighted the depth of its adapted Judo programme across men’s and women’s categories. Israel placed second with two gold, one silver and one bronze, while Australia took third after earning two gold medals.

Among Great Britain’s Level 1 men’s winners, KHAN Ilyas claimed gold at -66 kg, KHAN Idris won the -81 kg category and LAMB Rebecca topped the -57 kg women’s division. KHAN Saffiyah added another British gold at -63 kg, while Great Britain also reached the podium repeatedly in the men’s -73 kg, -90 kg and +90 kg categories.

Israel’s gold medals came through RABINIVICH IDO at -73 kg and MORAG Gal at +90 kg in Level 1. Australia’s GIRDWOOD Robert won Level 1 men’s -90 kg, while WAKEFIELD Lillee took gold in the Level 1 women’s +70 kg category.

Level 2 also featured a strong British contribution. ALLAN Sean won the men’s -73 kg class, LIGHT George took +90 kg gold, and LLOYD Siobhan and WESTWOOD Skye won the women’s -57 kg and -63 kg categories respectively. Great Britain’s athletes were also prominent in the silver and bronze medal positions throughout the divisions.

European judoka added plenty of memorable results beyond the British team. GERGELY Marko of Hungary won Level 2 men’s -81 kg, while ZLĂTARU Andrei Miki Giuliano gave Romania gold at -90 kg. Hungary and Romania each ended the event with a gold medal, and the Netherlands, Belgium and France each earned two silvers.

Host nation Switzerland celebrated three bronze medals, including podium finishes for JOBIN David, MBILU Lilian, THESSENS Maï-Ly, GIROUD Aurélie and MAMBI Richa across the Level 2 categories. Germany, Brazil and Spain also reached the podium during the competition.

Lausanne showed the competitive strength and inclusive spirit of adapted Judo on one tatami.

Beyond the final standings, the Grand Slam created an international stage for athletes to compete and perform in an environment built around the core values of Judo. The results in Lausanne underlined a simple message: every judoka belongs on the tatami.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation