Swiss judoka Aurélien Bonferroni claimed a bronze medal in the 81-kg weight class at the Grand Slam in Lausanne, delivering a standout performance for the host nation at the Vaudoise aréna.
The tournament brought elite international judo to Switzerland, drawing thousands of fans and top-tier competitors from across the globe. For Bonferroni, the path to the medal stand demanded resilience after an early setback against international opposition.
Aurélien Bonferroni’s Path to Bronze in the 81-kg Division
According to reports from Bluewin, the 24-year-old athlete from Geneva opened his campaign strongly before encountering a hurdle in the quarterfinals of the 81-kg weight category. Bonferroni dropped his quarterfinal bout to Georgii Elbakiev, who was competing under the flag of the United Arab Emirates.
Rather than bowing out of medal contention, Bonferroni regrouped in the repechage. He secured a vital victory over Russia’s Egor Suchoparov to advance to the bronze-medal showdown. In that final head-to-head clash, Bonferroni overcame Brazil’s Gabriel Falcao to lock down the bronze medal, sending the local fans into celebration.
Bonferroni noted that the home crowd provided an unforgettable surge of energy during his matches.
April Fohouo and Swiss Contenders at the Vaudoise Arena
While Bonferroni celebrated his podium finish, compatriot April Fohouo came within a whisker of securing a medal for Switzerland in the women’s 70-kg division. The 20-year-old athlete from Vaud, who previously earned a bronze medal at the European Championships in Tbilisi, battled through to the bronze-medal match against China’s Liu Lu.
According to Bluewin and 20 Minutes, Fohouo narrowly missed the podium after a hard-fought contest that left her physically tested by the Chinese competitor.
Other members of the Swiss delegation also experienced the highs and lows of the Lausanne showcase. Thien Oulevey, a 21-year-old competitor from Bussigny, reached the third round of his category before exiting following a hard-fought defeat against Ukraine’s Mykhailo Svidrak. Meanwhile, local fan favorite Binta Ndiaye was forced to sit out the competition due to an injury, though she remained active on the venue’s parvis connecting with supporters through autographs and photos.
International Stars and Future Milestones in Lausanne
French judo legend David Douillet pointed to the immense global footprint of the sport, noting its widespread international participation compared to other major Olympic disciplines.
The weekend’s events also featured international luminaries such as France’s Clarisse Agbegnenou, who captured a bronze medal in her respective weight category following her return from a second maternity leave, drawing massive applause from the Swiss audience.
With the Vaudoise aréna slated to welcome more than 12,000 spectators across the weekend’s events, the successful staging of the Grand Slam sets a strong precedent. Organizers and athletes alike are already looking ahead toward future major events at the venue, establishing Lausanne as a prominent fixture on the international judo calendar.
