Judo: Ellen Froner secures bronze for Brazil at Grand Slam in Paris

Brazil was once again on the podium at the Judo Grand Slam in Paris. This time it was a bronze medal for Ellen Froner in the category up to 70 kg, on Sunday (Feb. 5). This competition brings together the best judokas in the world in search of the first thousand points in the world ranking.

The first Brazilian medal was a silver one in the up to 73 kg category, won by Daniel Cargnin last Saturday (4).

The medal had a special meaning for Ellen, who spent nine months recovering from a knee surgery and missed the season, returning to compete only in December 2022: "I came back in the most difficult competition in Brazil, which is the Olympic selection, and I had the opportunity to be here. So, I believe that today was the result of nine months of believing.”

The Brazilian's trajectory started with a victory over the Australian Aoife Coughlan, then, in the quarterfinals, the victim was the Dutch Kim Polling. But in the semifinal, Ellen was defeated in the golden score by France's Marie-Ève Gahié. Thus, she had to dispute the bronze medal with Greek Elisavet Teltsidou, a fight she won on penalties.