The women’s +78kg category followed the script in Guadalajara with top seed Raz Hershko (ISR) and Helena Vukovic (CRO) powering through the preliminaries to set up a heavyweight final between two of the division’s most consistent performers.
There was little time for suspense once the final began. Hershko wasted no time, throwing Vukovic cleanly for ippon within seconds to capture her second consecutive Pan-American gold. The Israeli star, already an Olympic medallist, continues to dominate the heavyweight scene with a remarkable 20 World Judo Tour podiums to her name.
In the first bronze medal contest, Karen Leon (VEN) showed excellent composure, scoring twice with precision to overcome Yuli Alma Mishiner (ISR) and take her second career WJT medal. Giovanna Santos (BRA) completed the podium with a strong performance against Gusmary Garcia Savigne (USA), controlling the contest from start to finish to claim a well-deserved bronze.