Israeli Judoka Raz Hershko Secures Gold in Over-78kg Final at European Championships

Israeli judoka Raz Hershko defeats France's Lea Fontaine to win gold at the 2026 European Judo Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 19, 2026, 10:06 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

A Dominant Performance in the Heavyweight Category

Israeli judoka Raz Hershko achieved a significant career milestone by winning the gold medal in the women's over-78kg category at the European Judo Championships. Competing in Tbilisi, Georgia, Hershko demonstrated tactical superiority throughout the tournament's final day. Her victory in the championship bout serves as a powerful statement of her continued dominance in the heavyweight division, reinforcing her status as one of the premier competitors in international judo.

Victory Over Continental Rivals

The path to the gold medal required Hershko to overcome high-level European competition. In the final match, she faced Lea Fontaine of France, securing the win in a contest that highlighted her technical skill and physical resilience. Prior to the final, Hershko defeated Helena Vukovic of Croatia in the semifinal round. These back-to-back victories against top-tier opponents ensured that the Israeli national anthem was played during the closing stages of the competition in Georgia.

Redemption Following Olympic Silver

This gold medal win comes as a significant achievement following Hershko’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. During the summer games, she reached the final match but ultimately took home the silver medal after a loss to her Brazilian opponent. By clinching the European title in 2026, Hershko has successfully transitioned from her Olympic podium finish to a continental championship, demonstrating her ability to maintain elite performance levels across multiple major international cycles.