Funakubo Finds the Answer on the Ground in Hungary

Haruka Funakubo of Japan claimed -57 kg gold at the Hungary Grand Slam after a decisive ne-waza comeback against Olga Mukhina of Russia. The Olympic bronze medallist recovered from an early Yuko deficit before immobilising Mukhina to take the final.

The result marked another major moment for Funakubo, whose strength on the ground has made her one of the division’s most respected ne-waza specialists. Her experience at the highest level was visible when the final shifted after Mukhina’s early score.

Mukhina arrived in the gold medal contest with growing momentum of her own. The Russian athlete earned her first World Judo Tour medal with gold at the Dushanbe Grand Slam in May and followed that breakthrough by reaching the final in Hungary.

But Funakubo’s composure under pressure proved decisive. Having conceded a Yuko, the Japanese judoka worked her way back into the contest and eventually secured the immobilisation that ended Mukhina’s challenge.

Funakubo turned an early deficit into gold through her trademark ne-waza.

The victory added to an already strong championship record for Funakubo, who won Olympic bronze at Paris 2024 and world silver in both 2022 and 2023. After returning to international competition, she pointed to experience as an important factor in her performance.

Funakubo also made clear that her longer-term ambition is the Los Angeles Olympics. Before that, she faces the demanding task of earning selection in Japan, where qualification for international events is highly competitive.

European athletes were also central to the medal contests in Budapest. Hungary’s Luca Veg had the home crowd behind her against Brazil’s Sarah Souza and held a Yuko lead, but Souza produced a Seoi-nage for Ippon to take bronze.

In the other bronze medal contest, Germany’s Seija Ballhaus defeated France’s Emma Melis. Ballhaus used her kumi-kata effectively to force errors from Melis and earned a tactical victory.

The -57 kg podium was completed by Funakubo with gold, Mukhina with silver, and Souza and Ballhaus with bronze. For Funakubo, the final was a sharp reminder of the value of patience, experience and control when the contest moves to the ground.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation