The first gold medal contest of the Ecole Mont-Olivet Lausanne Grand Slam brought together Laura Martinez Abellenda (ESP) and Marina Vorobeva (RUS), two athletes who have produced excellent results throughout the season. Martinez Abellenda, 27, had arrived in Lausanne as one of the established names in the category. The Spanish judoka won world bronze in Budapest in 2025, placed fifth at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and collected European bronze medals in both 2023 and 2026. A double grand slam winner, in Baku in 2019 and Abu Dhabi in 2025, she has also enjoyed a particularly consistent 2026, taking bronze at the European Championships in Tbilisi, the Upper Austria Grand Prix and the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam.
Final, Laura Martinez Abelanda (ESP) vs Marina Vorobeva (RUS).
Across from her, Vorobeva had reached the final on the back of her own strong rise through the -48 kg category. The 24-year-old Russian judoka, ranked 17th in the world before the event, had taken bronze at the 2026 European Championships and at the Tbilisi Grand Slam, following a silver medal at the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam in 2025. Her fifth place at the Qingdao Grand Prix in June had further confirmed her growing presence among the leading athletes in the category.
Final, Laura Martinez Abelanda (ESP) vs Marina Vorobeva (RUS).
In the final, Martinez Abellenda received an early penalty and came under pressure when Vorobeva scored a waza-ari with ko-uchi-gari. In full control of the exchanges, the Russian imposed her rhythm and her style, giving her opponent no opportunity to regain the initiative. After sustained groundwork, Vorobeva secured an emphatic ippon without ever being seriously threatened. It was the first grand slam gold medal of her career.
Gold medallist, Marina Vorobeva (RUS).
After the final, Vorobeva said, “This is my first senior-level international gold medal. I’ve done everything to prove I’m the strongest in this weight category and I just needed more experience and some error correction. Today, I’m glad I cleaned up my style and beat opponents I’d previously lost to. My contest against Boukli was the most crucial because she beat me at the last two European Championships. After each loss, I analyse my performance with my national and personal coaches.”
Bronze medal contest, Catarina Costa (POR) vs Clarice Ribeiro (BRA).
The bronze medal contests brought together Catarina Costa (POR) and Clarice Ribeiro (BRA), followed by Merve Azak (TUR) and Hui Xinran (CHN), with four nations still in contention for the podium. Ribeiro took the lead within seconds of the first contest, a small yuko with ko-uchi-gari. Unable to break the distance, Costa could not put her opponent under pressure and Ribeiro claimed her first grand slam medal.
Bronze medal contest, Merve Azak (TUR) vs Xinran Hui (CHN).
There was little suspense in the second bronze medal contest. After effective preparation on the ground, Hui immobilised Azak for a clear ippon, securing her seventh grand slam medal.
Medals, cheques and presents were presented by Mr Sergey Soloveychik, President of the Russian Judo Federation, and Mr Olivier Schmutz, President of Trako.
Bronze Medal Fights (-48 kg)
