Alice Bellandi Claims World Judo Gold in Budapest
Italian judoka Alice Bellandi has reached the pinnacle of her sport, capturing the gold medal in the -78 kg category at the World Judo Championships in Budapest. The victory marks a definitive crowning achievement for Bellandi, who solidified her status as a dominant force in the division by defeating Germany’s Anna Monta Olek in a grueling final.
The championship match was a testament to endurance and tactical precision. After the regulation period failed to produce a winner, the bout pushed into a golden score overtime. Bellandi eventually secured the victory after six minutes of intense action, claiming her first career world title.
A Gritty Final in Budapest
The final showdown between Bellandi and Olek was defined by its tension. In judo, the golden score period is a sudden-death format where the first athlete to score a point or commit a penalty wins. For six minutes, both athletes traded attacks, but Bellandi’s persistence paid off, allowing her to edge out the German competitor.
This victory is a significant milestone for Bellandi, who has spent the last few years steadily climbing the podium of the world’s most prestigious tournament. Before this gold, her world championship record included a silver medal at the 2024 event in Abu Dhabi and a bronze in Doha in 2023.
The Ascent to the Top
Bellandi’s journey to the top of the -78 kg division has been one of consistent progression. Her trajectory through the World Championships highlights a steady evolution in performance and maturity on the mat:
| Year | Location | Result | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Doha | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2024 | Abu Dhabi | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2025 | Budapest | Gold | -78 kg |
This gold medal adds to an already glittering resume. Bellandi entered the Budapest tournament as the reigning Olympic champion, having won gold at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics in the same weight class. For readers unfamiliar with the sport’s structure, the World Championships are the primary annual event outside of the Olympic cycle, serving as the definitive benchmark for global rankings.
From Tokyo to Paris and Beyond
Bellandi’s career has been marked by a pivotal strategic shift. Born in Brescia, Italy, in 1998, she spent the early part of her professional career competing in a lighter weight class. During the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo (held in 2021), Bellandi competed in the women’s 70 kg event.
The move to the -78 kg category proved to be the catalyst for her greatest successes. Since transitioning, she has not only conquered the Olympics but has also secured a European Championship gold in Montpellier in 2023 and a World Masters title in Jerusalem in 2022. Her ability to adapt her style to a heavier division has allowed her to maintain a top world ranking, reaching the #1 spot globally.
An Italian Triumph
The success in Budapest was not limited to Bellandi. Italy enjoyed a strong showing at the championships, with Assunta Scutto also securing a gold medal in the -48 kg category. The dual gold medals underscore a period of exceptional strength for the Italian national judo program.
Bellandi’s victory is particularly sweet given the rivalry and the high stakes of the -78 kg class. By overcoming Olek in the final, she has proven that her Olympic gold was no fluke and that she can maintain her dominance across different tournament formats and venues.
For more detailed records on her career progression, fans can view her official profile on Wikipedia or follow updates via RaiNews.
With the World Championship title now added to her Olympic gold, Bellandi enters the next phase of the IJF circuit as the woman to beat. The focus now shifts to the remaining Grand Slam and Grand Prix events of the season as she looks to defend her ranking.
What do you think of Bellandi’s rise to the top? Let us know in the comments below.
