The African Open in Tunis delivered a packed Sunday programme with 229 competitors from 29 countries, combining continental pride with strong international participation. Belarus finished top of the medal table with five gold medals, while host nation Tunisia impressed with four titles on home soil. Egypt secured two gold medals and consistent podium finishes across the men’s divisions.
The day opened with men’s U60kg, contested by 24 athletes. Artsiom Kolasau of Belarus claimed gold after a composed performance in the final against Egypt’s Yassin Sabrah. Morocco placed two athletes on the podium through Aniss Ijioui and Qassim Abouallala, underlining North African depth in the lightest men’s division.
In women’s U48kg, Tunisia celebrated one of the most anticipated victories of the weekend. Oumaima Bedioui once again proved why she remains one of Africa’s leading judoka. The two time African senior champion, crowned in Cairo in 2024 and Abidjan in 2025, delivered confidently in front of a home crowd. Known affectionately as Petito, Bedioui began judo in 2012 at the age of fourteen at Monastir Judo Club simply out of love for the sport. Now representing JSM Monastir Tunis and training at the hall in Manzah Tunis under national coach Nihel Cheikrouhou, she has built an impressive continental record. She won the African Open in Tunis in 2023 and 2024, added bronze in 2025, and has also taken gold in Algiers. Competing with an IJF wild card, she handled the pressure superbly, defeating Katryna Esposito of Malta in the final. Fellow Tunisian Narjess Haddeji secured bronze alongside Ashleigh Barnikel of Great Britain, making it a strong outing for the host nation.
The men’s U66kg category featured 28 competitors and produced a gold for Tajikistan through Musanif Mirobov, who overcame Morocco’s Moubarak Boulaich in the final. Vincent Sorgiati of France and Soulaimane El Mekkaoui of Morocco completed the podium.
Home success continued in men’s U73kg, where 21 athletes contested the title. Aleddine Ben Chalbi delivered gold for Tunisia after defeating Egypt’s Fares Ibrahim in the final. Morocco once again placed two athletes on the podium through Abdelali Hakika and Ilias Jacobs, reinforcing their consistency throughout the weekend.
France claimed the women’s U57kg title through Fatiha Moussa in a category of 12 competitors. She defeated Marina Azinou of Cyprus in the final, while Valentina Shtentsova and Noran Elmahroukey secured bronze.
In men’s U81kg, which drew 26 competitors, Elyas Parhizgar of Iran emerged victorious after a demanding series of contests. Muhammad Yusufzoda of Tajikistan claimed silver, while Belarus placed two athletes on the podium through Maksim Charniak and Anton Dubovik.
Belarus continued their medal surge in women’s U63kg, the largest female category of the day with 20 athletes. Yana Makretskaya secured gold ahead of Milena Khilova. Millie Bayliss of Great Britain and Qona Christie of New Zealand took bronze.
Men’s U90kg, contested by 23 judoka, saw Aliaksandr Sidoryk of Belarus claim gold, defeating Tunisia’s Abdelaziz Ben Ammar in the final. Amir Abbas Choopan of Iran and Andrei Shymbaliou of Belarus completed the podium.
Egypt celebrated in women’s U70kg where 15 athletes competed. Farida Magdy delivered gold with a confident final performance against Nadezhda Tatarchenko. Nancy Nguyen of the United States and Holly Devall of Great Britain secured bronze.
In men’s U100kg, Tunisia added another gold as Koussay Ben Ghares triumphed in a 14 strong field. Romania’s Ionut Vasian took silver, while Belarus claimed two bronze medals through Pankrat Surba and Yauheni Morau.
The women’s U78kg division, with seven competitors, produced gold for Belarus through Slaviana Rylkevich, ahead of Tunisia’s Arij Agueb. Oulaya Khairi of Morocco and Ksenia Zadvornova earned bronze.
Egypt’s Hady Hussein dominated the men’s heavyweight category, which featured 11 athletes, defeating Mohammadpouria Banaeian Tolki of Iran in the final. Wahib Hdiouech of Tunisia and Dmitrii Evseev completed the podium.
The final category of the day, women’s +78kg, belonged entirely to Tunisia. Siwar Dhawedi claimed gold in an all Tunisian podium, defeating compatriot Zeineb Troudi in the final, while Siwar Ben Zid and Cherifa Sabbagh secured bronze in a powerful statement of domestic depth.
Belarus topped the medal table with five gold medals, competing under their national flag after having fought under the IJF banner last year. Tunisia’s four gold medals marked an excellent home performance, particularly highlighted by Bedioui’s authoritative U48kg victory. Egypt’s two gold medals and consistent podium finishes ensured a strong North African presence.