Golden Score Pressure Decides Lausanne -52 kg Final

Gefen Primo of Israel captured the -52 kg title in Lausanne after a demanding golden score final against France’s Blandine Pont. The contest brought together two experienced judoka in strong form, and it was decided by the smallest of margins under mounting penalty pressure.

Pont arrived with major momentum in her move up from -48 kg. The 27-year-old had won Grand Slam titles in Paris, Tel Aviv and Antalya in 2023, then added European silver in 2024. Victories at the Tbilisi and Astana Grand Slams in 2026 underlined how quickly she had established herself as a serious force at -52 kg.

Primo, 26, entered the final with a deep record of international success of her own. A world bronze medallist in Budapest in 2021 and a European champion, she had also collected three Grand Slam gold medals, one silver and seven bronzes on the World Judo Tour. Recent bronze medals in Guadalajara and Tbilisi showed that she was building form again before Lausanne.

The final was a tense tactical battle between right-handed Pont and left-handed Primo. Neither judoka could break through during normal time, with one Shido each sending the match into golden score. Both athletes attacked and defended with commitment, but neither was able to find a decisive score.

After a minute of additional time, a second Shido was given to each competitor. With the pressure rising, Primo appeared to have more physical energy left. Pont’s third Shido then settled the contest, giving Primo the gold while the French judoka took silver after an all-out effort.

Primo’s patience and conditioning made the difference when the final reached its hardest phase.

Primo said she was delighted to return to the feeling of winning gold, describing Lausanne’s atmosphere as close to that of a world championships. She also noted that the result adds important points as she continues to chase further victories.

Europe also featured in the first bronze medal contest. Spain’s Ariane Toro Soler defeated Japan’s Rin Takeuchi with a subtle change of direction that earned a yuko. The second bronze went to Brazil’s Rafaela Rodrigues, who overcame Uzbekistan’s Sugdiyona Rafkatova on penalties after an exhausting golden score battle for her first Grand Slam medal.

Primo topped the final -52 kg standings ahead of Pont, while Toro Soler and Rodrigues completed the podium. Italy’s Ilaria Finestrone finished seventh, alongside Liliia Nugaeva.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation