Ariane Toro claimed a bronze medal in the -52 kilogram category during the opening day of the inaugural Grand Slam of Lausanne in Switzerland, according to regional reporting from Pamplona Actual. Competing in a high-stakes international circuit stop that doubles as a qualification marker for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the Pamplona-born judoka navigated a demanding bracket to secure a spot on the podium.
Path to the Podim in Switzerland
Ranked ninth in the world entering the tournament, Toro opened her campaign with a strong preliminary performance. According to Pamplona Actual, she won her second-round match against Azerbaijan’s Gultaj Mammadaliyeva, who is ranked 37th globally. Moving deeper into the tournament, the Spanish competitor defeated Uzbekistan’s Sugdiyona Rafkatova, ranked 42nd, to finish at the top of her pool.
The semifinal round presented a tougher challenge. Toro faced Israel’s Gefen Primo, ranked 15th in the world. Primo ultimately won the bout and went on to claim the division’s championship title, sending the Navarrese athlete into the bronze-medal match.
Securing the Bronze Medal
In the contest for third place, Toro met Japan’s Rin Takeuchi, who holds the 40th spot in the international rankings. According to Pamplona Actual, Toro secured the victory and the podium finish by scoring a yuko against the Japanese competitor.
The performance delivers valuable ranking points for the Spanish judo competitor as the international circuit continues its multi-year cycle toward the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Keep reading
