Joanne van Lieshout Wins European Judo Gold in Under a Minute

Joanne van Lieshout secured the European judo title in the women’s -63 kg category with a decisive victory that lasted less than a minute, marking her first continental championship at the 2026 European Senior Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The Dutch judoka, ranked world number one in her weight class, demonstrated her dominance by defeating her French opponent in the final through an ippon scored within 50 seconds of the match’s commencement. This victory adds to her impressive resume, which includes the 2024 World Championship title and multiple Grand Prix victories.

Van Lieshout’s path to the gold medal featured consistent performances throughout the tournament. She advanced through the elimination rounds with victories that showcased her technical proficiency and strategic approach to competition. Her semifinal victory set up the final clash where she would achieve the swift victory that characterized her championship performance.

The victory in Tbilisi represents a significant milestone in van Lieshout’s career development. Having previously earned European silver in 2024 and bronze in 2025, this gold medal completes her set of continental medals and establishes her as the current European champion in the -63 kg division.

According to her competitive record, van Lieshout maintains an impressive competition history with numerous victories at the international level. Her performance in Tbilisi continued a pattern of strong showings in Grand Slam events throughout the 2025-2026 season, including placements in Paris, Tashkent, and earlier tournaments that contributed to her world ranking position.

The Dutch judoka’s success is built upon a foundation of consistent achievement dating back to her junior career, where she captured world titles in 2021 and 2022 before transitioning to senior success with her 2024 World Championship victory in Abu Dhabi.

Looking ahead, van Lieshout’s schedule includes participation in the upcoming Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam scheduled for May 8, 2026, followed by attendance at the Benidorm EJU OTC Training Camp on May 18, 2026, as part of her preparation for future international competitions.

This European championship victory further solidifies van Lieshout’s position among the elite competitors in women’s judo, adding another significant achievement to her growing list of accomplishments in the sport.

For the latest updates on Joanne van Lieshout’s judo career and upcoming competitions, fans can follow her progress through official judo channels and sports news outlets.