The main story on Sunday belonged to 29-year old Eduard Trippel in the men’s U90kg division. The German Olympic silver medallist from Tokyo 2020 finally returned to the top of the podium after a difficult period marked by injuries and inconsistent appearances. Since the Grand Prix in Linz in 2025, Trippel had struggled to regain rhythm, but in Benidorm he looked increasingly sharp throughout the day in a strong field of 46 competitors.
In the final he defeated Dutch judoka Mark van Dijk, while Brazil’s Joao Segatelle and Spain’s Aaron Santamaria Rodriguez claimed bronze medals. Trippel’s quality has never been in doubt. The German star also owns medals from Grand Slams in Tokyo, Osaka and Abu Dhabi, as well as bronze at the IJF Masters in Doha, but this victory felt especially important as part of his comeback towards the international elite.
The Netherlands celebrated another impressive success through Joshua de Lange in the men’s U81kg category, which attracted 43 competitors. De Lange defeated Dominic Rodriguez of the United States in the final to secure gold, while Fabrycjusz Tarkowski of Poland and Austria’s Magamed Borchashvilli shared bronze. The Dutch judoka continues to progress steadily and delivered one of the strongest performances of the weekend at senior level.
Germany added a second Sunday title through heavyweight Marvin Belz in the men’s +100kg division with 27 competitors. Belz overcame Romania’s Darius Dobre in the final, while teammate Daniel Udsilauri and Brazil’s Andrey Coelho finished with bronze medals, underlining Germany’s depth in the heavier categories.
Brazil collected gold in the men’s U100kg category through Wilgner Mendes. In a field of 25 athletes, Mendes defeated Germany’s Johannes Frey in the final. Karl Baathe of Sweden and Spain’s Nikita Yudanov completed the podium.
In the women’s events, Spain celebrated home success in the U48kg category with Mireia Rodriguez Salvador taking gold ahead of France’s Laura Espadinha in a category featuring 24 competitors. Spain also secured bronze through Aitana Diaz Hernandez alongside France’s Morgane Annis.
The women’s U52kg category, with 34 participants, was won by Czech judoka Tereza Bodnarova, who defeated Israel’s Ilay Hayun in the final. Monica Martinez de Rituerto Morillas of Spain and Julie Weill Dit Morey of France shared bronze.
France claimed victory in the women’s U57kg division through Emma Melis after overcoming Dutch judoka Pleuni Cornelisse in the final of a 32-strong category. Italy’s Silvia Pellitteri and Spain’s Carla Ubasart Mascaro earned bronze medals.