Asya Tavano ready for a top spot in Paris

Italy's heavyweight Asya Tavano arrived in Dushanbe with a clear goal in mind: to secure a spot in the top eight for the Olympic Games. Currently ranked 13th on the Olympic Ranking List, with several formidable competitors ahead of her, she knew she needed a strong performance. Throughout the day, she showcased her prowess, defeating opponents with a combination of skill and determination. Her victories over Ramazanova (KAZ) and Vukovic (CRO) were hard-fought battles, while she demonstrated her dominance against Hofman (POL) with two powerful throws.

In the final, Tavano initially seemed poised to claim the gold, scoring an early waza-ari. However, Wolszczak (POL) quickly equalized with a decisive throw. Undeterred, Tavano shifted gears and seized control in ne-waza, ultimately securing victory with a swift koshi-jime. At just 21 years old, Tavano's impressive performance at the Grand Slam further solidifies her place among judo's rising stars. With a growing list of achievements, including two senior European medals and a top-eight finish at the 2023 Doha World Championships, she is carving out a remarkable career for herself.

Wolszczak, Tavano's opponent in the final, displayed her own skill and determination throughout the tournament. Securing victory with a combination of throws and holds in her earlier matches, she proved to be a formidable contender. In the end, she claimed the silver medal, a testament to her talent and perseverance.

The bronze medal matches saw fierce competition as well, with Hofman (POL) emerging victorious over Berlikash (KAZ) and Lee securing a bronze for Korea with a commanding performance against Vukovic (CRO). As these young athletes continue to excel on the international stage, their future in the sport looks promising, with potential yet to be fully realized.