French judoka Kaïla Issoufi captured the silver medal in the –78 kg division at her debut World Judo Championships on Friday, October 9, in Baku, Azerbaijan, L’Union reported. The 25-year-old athlete advanced to the final round before dropping the gold-medal bout to Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko representing the United Arab Emirates.
Final Bout Dominance in Baku
The championship match marked the second career meeting between the two competitors. Issoufi had previously secured a narrow victory over Lytvynenko in November 2025, but the Baku final played out differently as Lytvynenko established clear control on the tatami. French national team coach Kilian Le Blouch addressed the result following the medal ceremony, telling L’Union, “Il faut reconnaître la victoire franche et nette de l’adversaire qui a fait une très grande journée. On est probablement à notre place en étant vice-championne du monde.”
Road to the World Championship Podium
To reach the –78 kg final, Issoufi beat a demanding bracket of top-tier international opponents. In the semifinal round, she faced Germany’s Olek Anna Monta, the world number one and reigning world silver medalist, securing victory with a decisive yuko score right as time expired. Earlier in the competition, Issoufi eliminated Japan’s Kurena Ikeda in the quarterfinal round via ippon.
Weight Class Change Sparks Issoufi's Career Resurgence
The silver medal represents a significant milestone in Issoufi’s career trajectory following a strategic weight class adjustment at the start of 2025. She spent long stretches competing in the –70 kg division, where persistent injuries and difficulty establishing her preferred style hindered her progress. Moving up to the –78 kg category brought renewed comfort and immediate international success, highlighted by a victory at the Tashkent Grand Slam in February and a bronze medal at her first European Championships in April.
Impact on the French Team Medal Standings
Issoufi’s runner-up finish added a third medal to the French delegation’s tally at the Baku world championships. Her silver joins earlier bronze medals won by Shirine Boukli in the –48 kg category and Dayyan Boulemtafes in the –73 kg category, providing a boost to an overall campaign for the French squad that coaches and federation officials had characterized as disappointing prior to her final.
