Israeli judoka Raz Hershko has cemented her place in European judo history by capturing her second continental title in the women’s +78 kg category at the 2026 European Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. Hershko defeated France’s Léa Fontaine in the final, securing gold with a decisive ippon victory just 52 seconds into the match.
The win marks Hershko’s second European Championship gold, having previously won the title in 2021. Her victory continues a remarkable run of success on the continental stage, adding to her Olympic silver medal from the Paris 2024 Games where she finished as runner-up to Brazil’s Rafaela Silva in the same weight class.
Hershko’s path to the final included a semifinal victory over Croatia’s Helena Vukovic. The Israeli judoka entered the competition as one of the favorites, bringing her experience as vice-champion olympique and a consistent performer at major international events.
For Fontaine, the silver medal represents her continued progression in the division despite falling short of the top step of the podium. The 24-year-old Réunionnaise had previously earned European medals with silver in 2021 and bronze in 2024, demonstrating her consistency at the continental level.
Fontaine reached the final by defeating Estonia’s Emma-Melis Aktas in the semifinals. Aktas had earlier eliminated French teammate Romane Dicko, making Fontaine’s victory particularly significant as she advanced further than her compatriot in the tournament bracket.
The final itself was described as expeditious, with Hershko imposing her power and technical mastery quickly. Speaking after her victory, Hershko acknowledged the challenge posed by Fontaine, noting the French judoka’s improvements since their previous encounters.
Fontaine expressed frustration with the outcome, particularly given that she had lost to Hershko in the final of a Grand Slam event in Tbilisi just three weeks prior to the European Championships. The repeated loss to the same opponent in the same venue and weight class appeared to weigh heavily on the French judoka.
“After, it will be necessary for me to step back and find the right answers to the questions of why,” Fontaine said, reflecting on her third consecutive final appearance without gold. “I think I know how to do it. But here, it’s hard to accept and say, I missed a European final.”
The Israeli judoka’s victory contributed to Israel’s overall medal haul at the championships, which included additional podium finishes for teammates. Earlier in the competition, Timna Nelson Levy won silver in the women’s -57 kg category, while Izhak Ashpiz claimed bronze in the men’s -60 kg division.
Hershko’s success continues to establish her as one of the dominant figures in women’s heavyweight judo internationally. With her second European title and Olympic silver already secured, the Israeli judoka remains a formidable presence heading toward future major championships.
The 2026 European Judo Championships concluded with France securing twelve medals with Fontaine’s silver contributing to their tally. For Israel, Hershko’s gold represented a significant achievement in their judo program’s continued development on the European stage.
Looking ahead, both athletes will likely turn their attention to the upcoming international judo calendar, with World Championship and Olympic qualification events on the horizon. Hershko’s victory in Tbilisi serves as a strong statement of intent as she aims to add to her already impressive résumé.
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