Israeli judoka Raz Hershko won her second European championship gold medal on Sunday, defeating France’s Lea Fontaine with a decisive ippon just 52 seconds into the final.
Competing in the over-78 kg category, Hershko secured her fifth consecutive medal at the European Championships, having previously won silver in 2022, 2023 and 2025, and gold in 2024. With the victory, she becomes only the third Israeli to win more than one European title, joining Arik Ze’evi and Sagi Muki.
Hershko advanced to the final after defeating Croatia’s Helena Vukovic in the semifinals, effectively sealing her place on the podium and extending her medal streak. She controlled the bout early and finished it within 46 seconds.
Earlier in the day, Hershko opened her campaign with a win over a Bulgarian opponent, who was penalized three times. She then defeated an Italian judoka in the quarterfinals with a yuko.
Her main rival, France’s Romane Dicko, was eliminated in the quarterfinals, improving Hershko’s chances of reclaiming the title she previously won.
Hershko had not competed in a major event since the European Championships in April last year after missing the World Championships due to military operations. Despite that, she returned to form quickly, winning gold at the Grand Prix in Austria shortly afterward and later reaching the podium again at the Tbilisi Grand Slam.
Elsewhere in the competition, Israel’s Yuli Mishiner finished seventh after losing to Fontaine by ippon in the quarterfinals and later to Dicko in the repechage.
Inbar Lanir, competing in the under-78 kg category, withdrew from the tournament after suffering a shoulder injury during her quarterfinal bout against a French opponent.
Among the men, Roy Sivan and Ram Friedman-Silberstein (under 90 kg) were eliminated in the early rounds, as was Yosef Simin (100 kg), who lost his opening match.