Lytvynenko Finishes Strong as Tcheumeo’s Deep Run Shapes the -78 kg Story

Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko of the UAE took gold in the -78 kg division in Ulaanbaatar, closing a dramatic day that also highlighted Audrey Tcheumeo’s remarkable staying power in top-level judo. With a stacked field on the tatami, the category delivered surprises long before the final began.

At the top of the draw, Anna Monta Olek of Germany arrived as the clear favorite. The world number one and 2025 world silver medallist opened with a win over Alexandra Riabchenko, looking ready to control the section. Then came one of the defining moments of the day.

Audrey Tcheumeo of France, still competing at the highest level at 36, produced a major statement by defeating Olek. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone why Tcheumeo remains such an important figure in the division. Her career is already packed with medals and titles, but this run showed that experience can still shake up even the strongest draw.

Tcheumeo kept the momentum going by beating Yael van Heemst of the Netherlands to reach another Grand Slam final. In a category filled with contenders, that was an outstanding response from the French veteran.

Audrey Tcheumeo turned the top half upside down with one huge win.

In the bottom half, Lytvynenko moved through the field with far less turbulence. The UAE judoka advanced to the final without appearing to be seriously threatened, setting up a meeting between the day’s steadiest performer and one of its biggest stories.

The final opened as a physical contest. During a transition on the ground, Lytvynenko worked patiently to establish control and free her leg. Tcheumeo tried to hold out, but the pressure from Lytvynenko was decisive. The hold down was secured for Ippon, and with it came another Grand Slam gold medal.

Afterward, Lytvynenko said it had been a hard day but that she felt much better by the end than she had in the morning. She also spoke about her excitement for the Los Angeles Olympic Games and said she did not come in with a specific game plan against Tcheumeo, instead relying on the feeling of previous contests and her coach’s simple instruction to win.

She also shared that she planned to celebrate by exploring Mongolia with a friend and thanked fans for their support. On a personal note, she ended by sending a Father’s Day message to her dad.

The bronze medal matches added another European angle. In an all-German contest, Alina Boehm defeated Anna Monta Olek with a Waza-ari and a yuko. It was not the final either athlete would have wanted, but Boehm made the most of the moment.

In the second bronze medal contest, Brenda Olaya of Colombia edged Yael van Heemst by yuko to take the second Grand Slam bronze of her career.

By the end of the -78 kg event, the gold belonged to Lytvynenko. But the division also belonged to the unexpected turns, the veteran resistance of Tcheumeo, and a European medal picture that stayed active deep into the final block.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation