Akulina Al-Shayeb Captures Gold at European Open Judo Championship

Lebanese judoka Akulina Al-Shayeb has claimed the gold medal in the women's under-78 kilogram category at the European Open Judo Championship, held in Tallinn.

Al-Shayeb's path to victory was marked by a series of commanding performances. She opened her competition with a knockout victory against a Polish opponent, followed by another knockout triumph over a Ukrainian competitor. In the championship final, she faced a Croatian athlete and emerged victorious to secure the top podium finish, bringing distinction to Lebanon on the European stage.

The achievement comes as Al-Shayeb intensifies her preparations for Olympic qualification. A week prior to the European championship, she participated in a training camp in Spain as part of her technical development program. She is now maintaining rigorous training schedules with her sights set on the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where she hopes to earn a spot on the Lebanese delegation.