Jevgenija Gajić reached the top step of the podium at an international tournament for the second time this month. After a successful move to the under-70-kilogram category and a victory at the European Cup in Gori, she confirmed her strong form with another win in Algeria. The 20-year-old from Carinthia advanced directly to the semi-final, as her quarter-final opponent did not step onto the tatami.

In the semi-final, she faced the category’s top seed, Rachael Hawkes. After a scoreless regular time, the Slovenian judoka showed excellent physical preparation in golden score and, after just over four minutes of extra time, forced the world No. 56 to receive three penalties.

In the final, Jevgenija faced the category’s second seed, Amina Douniazed Rezoug, and defeated her in dominant fashion. She took the lead with waza-ari in the very first exchange, then quickly transitioned into groundwork, applied an arm lock, and forced her opponent to submit after just 20 seconds of fighting.

Gal Bertalanič Žižek won his first medal at a senior World Cup in the Algerian capital. The 23-year-old from Maribor defeated home judoka Nacer-Eddine Fares on penalties in the quarter-final of the under-100-kilogram category, before facing another Algerian, Abdelkader Lakhal, in the semi-final. Lakhal won with two yukos and advanced to the final, while Bertalanič Žižek fought Tunisia’s Adem Landolsi for third place.

After the first half of the contest, the Slovenian judoka took the lead with waza-ari following an attractive throwing technique, then finished the job about a minute later with a successful counter technique. With the win, Gal secured third place and his first World Cup medal.