Zurich, Switzerland – April 18, 2026 – In a landmark achievement for Swiss judo, April Fohouo captured the bronze medal in the women’s 57-kilogram division at the 2026 European Judo Championships held in Prague, Czech Republic. The victory marks Switzerland’s first medal in the event since 2018 and underscores Fohouo’s emergence as a top contender on the continental stage.
Fohouo, a 24-year-old judoka training at the Swiss Judo Federation’s elite center in Zurich, defeated Ukraine’s Anastasiya Sokolova in the bronze medal match with a decisive ippon via seoi-nage (shoulder throw) in the final minute of regulation. Her path to the podium included victories over Germany’s Laura Vargas Koch in the round of 16 and a hard-fought semifinal loss to France’s Astride Gneto, the reigning Olympic silver medalist, which sent her to the repechage bracket.
The European Judo Union confirmed the results through its official competition portal, noting Fohouo’s performance as a highlight of Switzerland’s strongest showing at the championships since 2014. Her bronze adds to a growing list of accomplishments, including a fifth-place finish at the 2024 World Championships in Abu Dhabi and multiple medals on the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Tour.
“This medal means everything—not just for me personally, but for the entire Swiss judo program,” Fohouo said in a post-match interview with Swiss public broadcaster SRF, which aired the event live. “We’ve worked relentlessly to rebuild after the Tokyo Olympics cycle, and to stand on the podium in Prague shows that the investment in youth development and high-performance coaching is paying off.”
Her coach, Marco Lehmann, praised Fohouo’s tactical discipline and mental resilience, stating, “April executed our game plan perfectly against Sokolova. She stayed patient, waited for the opening, and capitalized with precision. This is the result of years of structured development, not just a flash in the pan.”
The achievement arrives at a pivotal moment for Swiss judo, which has faced challenges in maintaining consistent international success following the retirement of longtime stalwarts like Sergei Aschwanden. Fohouo’s success is expected to inspire a latest generation of athletes and strengthen funding arguments for national training programs ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Looking ahead, Fohouo is set to compete at the 2026 World Judo Championships in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled for September. Her immediate focus, but, remains on the domestic circuit, with the Swiss National Championships in Bern slated for May 10–11, where she aims to defend her national title in the 57kg category.
For fans wishing to follow her journey, the Swiss Judo Federation provides live updates and training camp access through its official website and social media channels. As Swiss judo continues its resurgence, Fohouo’s bronze in Prague stands as a tangible symbol of progress and a promising indicator of what’s to come.
Share your thoughts on April Fohouo’s historic achievement and the future of Swiss judo in the comments below.
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