Estonian judoka Emma-Melis Aktas secured a bronze medal in the women's +78 kg category at the Linz Grand Prix, showing a strong competitive performance.
Estonian judoka Emma-Melis Aktas achieved notable success at the Linz Grand Prix by winning a bronze medal in the women's +78 kg category, competing against 19 athletes. Starting with a free round, Aktas showcased her skill by defeating Romanian competitor Thalia Castellano in her second match with an impressive hold. Although she faced Brazilian competitor Giovanna Santos in the quarterfinals, where she lost after Santos scored a decisive yuko, Aktas's journey didn't end there as she continued to pursue the bronze through the consolation round.
In her path to the bronze medal match, Aktas fought against Dominican Moira Moriollo, where she displayed her dominance throughout the contest. Aktas scored two yuko points and won via a hold, allowing her to advance to the bronze match. In the final showdown for the bronze, she secured a decisive victory against Kazakh judoka Akerke Ramazanova with an ippon, cementing her spot on the podium.
Alongside Aktas, another Estonian judoka, Saad Dikajev, competed in the -81 kg category and finished in ninth place, successfully defeating Slovenian Igor Tsurkan in his opening match. Aktas's performance at the Grand Prix highlights the growing presence of Estonian judokas on the international stage and adds to the nation's sporting achievements.
