A Historic Win for PatrĂcia Sampaio
Portuguese judoka PatrĂcia Sampaio has made history by claiming her first European title on Saturday, defeating German opponent Anna Monta Olek in the final of the -78kg category. This remarkable achievement at the 2025 European Judo Championships in Podgorica, Montenegro, marks a significant milestone in Sampaio's career, which already boasts a bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Despite her success, the 25-year-old athlete from Tomar remained humble, stating, "I don’t know if perfect is the word, but it was a spectacular day, yes." She emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, even in victory.
Explosive Judo Style
Sampaio showcased her “explosive” style of judo throughout the competition, winning her first two matches in just over one minute. In the semi-finals, she faced reigning champion Audrey Tcheuméo from France, maintaining pressure that led to her opponent's disqualification through penalties. "It was a very tactical match," Sampaio explained, highlighting her strategic approach.
A Flawless Final
In the final match against Anna Monta Olek, Sampaio executed a perfect sode tsurikomi goshi, a hip throw that secured her victory with an ippon—the judo equivalent of a knockout. "No matter who I face, I stick to my strategy," she noted, emphasizing her focus on execution over her opponent.
Celebrating Victory
When asked about her victory, Sampaio humorously mentioned her walkout song, “Unstoppable” by Sia, and playfully suggested that “We Are the Champions” by Queen could also be added to her playlist.
Podium Success for Portugal
In addition, fellow Portuguese judoka Catarina Costa also achieved podium success, securing a silver medal in the -48 kg category after a tough match against Shirine Boukli from France, currently ranked sixth in the world.
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