Post by : Bianca
Haleem
UAE national judo team star Eliza Litif secured the gold medal in the women’s under-78kg category at the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam, which concluded in Mongolia’s capital city. Entering the tournament as the top seed, Litif delivered an impressive and consistent performance throughout the competition to finish at the top of the podium.
Dominant Run to the Final
Litif began her campaign with strong victories over Austria’s Elena Deng and Colombia’s Brenda Olaya in the preliminary rounds. She continued her winning momentum in the semi-finals, where she overcame Germany’s Alina Böhm to book her place in the championship match.
Her performances throughout the tournament highlighted her technical ability and determination, allowing her to advance through a highly competitive field without losing focus.
Victory Over Audrey Tcheuméo Secures Gold
In the final, Litif faced France’s Audrey Tcheuméo in one of the most anticipated matches of the category. The UAE judoka produced another confident display and emerged victorious, securing the gold medal and giving the UAE a major success at the international event.
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The result further strengthens Litif’s standing on the world stage and adds an important achievement to the UAE judo team's growing list of international accomplishments.
Strong Showing by Dofar Kosov
In the men’s under-100kg category, Dofar Kosov also impressed with a series of strong performances. He earned victories over Croatia’s Zlatko Kumric and Mongolia’s Khuderchuluun during the tournament and advanced deep into the competition.
However, Kosov was forced to withdraw from the bronze-medal contest against Russia’s Idar Bifov due to injury. Despite missing out on a medal, he finished the tournament in fourth place after a commendable campaign.
Valuable Points for Olympic Qualification
Mohammed bin Thaaloob Al Darei, President of the UAE Judo Federation, praised the national team’s results at the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam. He emphasized that the performances were important in helping UAE athletes collect valuable world ranking points as they continue their journey toward qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Focus Shifts to Qingdao Grand Prix
The UAE Judo Federation has confirmed that preparations will continue for the upcoming Qingdao Grand Prix, which will be hosted by the Chinese Judo Association from June 26 to June 28.
The UAE delegation will include 11 male and female athletes, all aiming to build on the success achieved in Mongolia and deliver more strong performances on the international stage.
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