Mao Arai Seizes Her Moment While Europe Lands Three Heavyweight Medals

Mao Arai was the standout name in the +78 kg division in Mongolia, taking gold in a dramatic women’s heavyweight Judo tournament. The Japanese judoka made the most of a draw that shifted early, while several European athletes still left with strong results on a day full of tension.

One of the biggest early turning points came when Raz Hershko was disqualified after her opening win for applying a prohibited technique against Arai. That moment changed the shape of the top half of the draw immediately. Arai stayed sharp, moved through the rounds, and then beat Emma-Melis Aktas of Estonia in the semi-final to book her place in the final.

On the other side, Romane Dicko looked like the athlete many expected to see there. The French heavyweight arrived as one of the category’s biggest names, with major results already behind her, including a world title, Olympic medals, World Judo Masters titles, Grand Slam success, European crowns and Grand Prix victories. Her route to the gold medal contest was described as comfortable, and she once again showed why she remains such a constant force in this division.

But the final belonged to Arai. Supported loudly by her Japanese teammates in the stands, she found the breakthrough and secured the win with a hold down that forced Dicko to submit. It was a significant moment for Arai, who said it was her first victory in about two years, since the 2024 Tokyo Grand Slam, and it came after she had finished second at the world championships.

She also explained that preparation for this result included detailed work with her coaches, especially reviewing past defeats and her earlier contest against Dicko. Arai spoke openly about the pressure of the current cycle, noting that Grand Slam events now carry Olympic qualification weight and that the level across the field is only getting tougher.

Arai turned one opening into the biggest result of her recent run.

For Europe, the category still ended with three podium finishes. Dicko took silver for France, while the bronze medals went to Asya Tavano of Italy and Célia Cancan of France.

Tavano’s path was shaped by the same early shake-up that changed the draw. Given an unexpected repechage chance after Hershko’s exit, the Italian made it count. In golden score against Helena Vukovic of Croatia, she secured a five-second hold down for yuko and earned Italy’s third medal of the event in Mongolia.

Cancan’s bronze came in another tight contest, this time against Emma-Melis Aktas. Their match stayed locked for a long stretch, with neither athlete creating much danger in regular time. In golden score, the French judoka finally found the score with an o-uchi-gari near the edge of the contest area, taking her second Grand Slam medal.

France put two athletes on the +78 kg podium despite missing gold.

The final standings underlined both Arai’s breakthrough and Europe’s depth in the category. Dicko, Tavano and Cancan all reached the podium, while Vukovic and Aktas finished fifth. In a division built on power and composure, this one turned on a few sudden moments — and Arai was the athlete who took them all the way.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation