Anna Monta Olek enters the World Judo Championships in the under-78-kilogram division as the world number one and reigning world silver medalist, holding the top seed on the tournament’s opening day.
Top-Seeded Contender Eyes Gold
Olek, representing the Judo-Team Hannover in Lower Saxony, steps onto Mat 1 for the 26th contest of the day. Because of her top-ranked status, her opening opponent remains to be determined pending the earlier rounds.
Her primary ambition for the tournament centers on reaching the highest step of the podium. My goal is a medal,
Olek said. And if things go well, hopefully back in the final and then really the gold medal. I still have a final to make up for.
While holding high ambitions, the Hanover athlete also monitors the psychological weight of her ranking. The expectation level is already very high,
she noted, adding that she aims to manage the pressure as competition day arrives.
Alina Böhm Targets Podium Finish
Alina Böhm of JC 71 Düsseldorf joins Olek in the under-78 kg bracket, entering the championship as the seventh-ranked fighter in the world. Böhm is scheduled to compete in contest 28 on Mat 2.
The North Rhine-Westphalia judoka approaches the global competition with an aggressive mindset. A World Championship is always something special and that’s why I will fight as if it were my last,
Böhm said. I will leave my heart, sweat, and tears on the mat—like always.
Under-78 Kg and Under-100 Kg Matches Start October 9
The under-78 kg and under-100 kg weight classes take center stage on Friday, October 9, 2026. Preliminary matches begin at 10:30 a.m. local time (08:30 a.m. CEST), with the final blocks scheduled to start at 18:00 local time (16:00 p.m. CEST).
