Joana Crisóstomo Claims Gold at European Open

Portuguese judoka Joana Crisóstomo claimed gold in the -63 kg category at the European Open in Prague, defeating Germany's Shenna Nitsche by ippon in the decisive bout. In the same competition, Rochele Nunes secured a bronze medal in the +78 kg division.

At just 24 years old, Crisóstomo, currently ranked 152nd globally, delivered an impeccable performance en route to gold. In the final, the Portuguese athlete needed less than a minute to overcome Nitsche, ranked 167th worldwide, and clinch the top spot on the podium.

To reach the title fight, Joana Crisóstomo successively eliminated Ukraine's Yuliia Kuzmneko, Romania's Amanda Zuaznabar-Torres, and France's Perrine Saint Etienne. In the semi-final, the Portuguese judoka defeated the Netherlands' Joni Geilen, ranked 61st.

Meanwhile, in the +78 kg category, Rochele Nunes (ranked 79th) secured bronze by overcoming Kazakhstan's Karina Takiyeva (91st). The experienced judoka began her campaign with a victory over Germany's Amani Kuester, but a loss to Austria's Maria Hoellwart relegated her to the repechage. There, she defeated Ukraine's Khrystyna Homan, earning her spot in the medal contention.

In the men's competition, Portuguese participation was more subdued. Bernardo Tralhão (-60 kg) was eliminated in the second round by France's Gabin Supervielle, after having defeated Slovenia's Gal Blazic. In the -73 kg category, Thelmo Gomes also exited in the second round, losing to Israel's Oren Aharon following an initial win against Hong Kong's Sik Ming Tsang.

The Portuguese contingent continues its action this Sunday, the final day of the European Open in the Czech Republic, with Ana Agulhas (-57 kg), Jorge Fonseca and Diogo Chantre (-100 kg), and Diogo Brites (+100 kg) all set to compete.