The second day of the Judo Grand Prix in Lima brought a fresh wave of milestones, as three athletes secured their first-ever World Judo Tour gold medals. The Peruvian capital's tatami hosted a series of tightly contested finals, with European judoka making a strong mark on the international stage.
Watanabe edges Vazquez Fernandez in -63kg final
In the women's -63kg category, Japan's Seiko Watanabe faced Spain's Laura Vazquez Fernandez in a balanced encounter. The contest remained scoreless until the final minute, when Watanabe executed a precise yuko that proved decisive. The victory marked her first World Judo Tour gold, a result that will boost her confidence ahead of future international competitions.
Katiuska Santaella, a member of the International Judo Federation's Gender Equality & Development Commission, presented the medals.
Mitru's ippon stuns Yonezuka in -73kg
Moldova's Vlad Mitru delivered a breakthrough performance in the -73kg final against American Jack Yonezuka. Mitru, competing in his first World Tour final, sealed the gold with a cleverly worked ippon, the biggest victory of his career so far. The 23-year-old from Chișinău has been steadily climbing the ranks, and this result signals his arrival among the division's contenders.
Oscar Cassinerio, director of the IJF's International Relations Commission, awarded the medals.
Pohl powers to -70kg gold
Germany's Dena Pohl claimed her first World Judo Tour gold in the -70kg category, overcoming Brazil's Nauana Silva. Pohl, who trains in Hamburg, showed determination from the start and secured the win with a waza-ari score. The landmark victory adds to Germany's growing presence in women's judo, following strong performances at recent European championships.
Armen Bagdasarov, the IJF's head referee director, presented the medals.
Lima tops -81kg podium
In the men's -81kg final, Peru's David Lima delighted the home crowd by taking the gold. Lima scored a yuko early in the contest and managed to hold onto the advantage, earning his first Grand Prix title. The victory was a personal milestone for the 26-year-old from Lima, who has been a consistent performer on the Pan American circuit.
Leyla Chihuan, a director at the Peruvian Olympic Committee, awarded the medals.
The Lima Grand Prix continues to showcase emerging talent from across the globe. For European judoka, the event serves as a crucial stepping stone toward the 2028 Olympic cycle, with several nations using it to test new combinations and young athletes. The opening day had already produced five first-time champions, and day two added three more to that list.
As the competition progresses, attention will turn to the remaining weight categories, where European contenders will look to build on the momentum set by Watanabe, Mitru, and Pohl. The IJF's World Tour continues to expand its reach, with events like Lima providing valuable ranking points and experience for athletes from all continents.
