Hungarian judoka Szofi Özbas claimed gold in the women’s 70 kg category at the European Judo Championships in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Saturday, successfully defending her title and delivering Hungary’s 20th European Championship gold in the sport.
Widely regarded as the Hungarian team’s leading medal prospect, the 24-year-old advanced to the final with four composed victories, replicating her run from last year’s championships in Podgorica. In the final, she faced France’s Melkia Auchecorne, a two-time junior world champion with five World Tour medals, who had previously defeated Özbas at the Qingdao Grand Prix in 2025.
The rematch proved decisive and brief. The contest lasted just 51 seconds, with Özbas securing victory during a ground exchange. Applying a chokehold, the BHSE athlete forced her opponent to tap out, signalling submission due to the risk of injury.
With the win, Özbas—who also claimed bronze at the 2023 World Championships—secured her second European title, reinforcing her position among the continent’s elite in the division.
‘The contest lasted just 51 seconds, with Özbas securing victory during a ground exchange’
Speaking to M4 Sport after the final, she described the speed of the victory as almost difficult to process. ‘I’m searching for words. It’s incredible how such big things can happen in a fraction of a moment. It’s still playing out in my mind; I’m still under its effect,’ she said.
Reflecting on her overall performance, Özbas emphasized the consistency of her approach throughout the day. ‘The whole day was a series of positive events. Sometimes I experience things emotionally a bit differently from how they objectively happen, but today was very positive on an emotional level as well—I could draw strength from it,’ she noted.
She added that her strategy was to take the competition one step at a time, focusing only on the immediate challenge. Maintaining that discipline, she said, ultimately proved key to securing the title.
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