Overview

• Bellandi defeated Germany’s Anna Monta Olek after six minutes of golden score to clinch the –78 kg world title.
• The victory completes her medal progression from a bronze at Doha 2023 and silver at Abu Dhabi 2024 to Olympic gold in Paris and now a first world championship crown.
• Her gold marks Italy’s eighth women’s world judo title and the national team’s second podium finish in Budapest following Assunta Scutto’s –48 kg triumph.
• This world championship title arrives ten months after her Olympic success in Paris, underscoring her rapid rise in the sport.
• En route to the final, Bellandi dispatched Zeddy Cherotich, Nikolett Sági and Ma Zhenzhao in Pool C and overcame Metka Lobnik in the semifinal.