Team USA won four senior and three junior medals in Tunisia over the weekend.
2025 Tunis African Open and Junior Cup Results
Christopher Velazco (Coral Springs, Fla. / NYAC / Ki-itsu-sai National Training Center) and Sara Golden (Crystal Lake, Ill. / USA Judo National Resident Team) both won gold in the senior events at the Tunis African Open in the 60 kg and 63 kg divisions, respectively.
Velazco reached the men's 60 kg final by winning his first three matches by ippon (instant win) over Mouad Cheikh Zidi (ALG), Houssem Harabi (TUN) and 2024 African Junior bronze medalist Ahmed Alaoui Cherifi (MAR). In the finals, Velazco would match up with countryman Joshua Yang (Los Angeles, Calif. / USA Judo National Resident Team) who reached the gold medal match by way of wins over Mazen Ferjaoui (TUN), two-time Grand Slam medalist Vincent Limare (FRA) and Salah Eddine Moudetere (ALG). Velazco scored the deciding waza-ari (half point) against Yang in the final to claim the victory.
A USA Judo National Resident Team member, Golden won her second career Continental Open title, adding gold in Tunis to her 2023 Cordoba Pan American Open title, also in the 63 kg division.
Golden won the opening match by ippon over Viyaleta Fiodarava (IJF). In the semifinals, Golden defeated U.S. teammate Emily Jaspe (Hilaleah, Fla. / Ki-itsu-sai National Training Center) by ippon after Jaspe picked up her third and disqualifying shido (penalty).
In the finals, Golden threw 2023 Pan American-Oceania Junior champion Laurence Biron (CAN) for a waza-ari to take gold.
Another member of the USA Judo National Resident Team, Isabella Garriga (Richmond, Texas / USA Judo National Resident Team / Westlake Judo Team), also reached the podium, taking silver in the senior women's 70 kg competition. Garriga won her semi-final match by yuko over Maidelines Gorguet-Veranes (ROU) before losing by yuko to Hanna Sitnik (IJF) in the final.
Team USA won three additional medals at Friday's Junior African Cup with Velazco and Jonathan Yang (Los Angeles, Calif. / USA Judo National Resident Team / L.A. Judo Club) taking silver and bronze, respectively, in the men's 60 kg division. Jaspe claimed a bronze medal in the women's 63 kg competition.
Top eight and U.S. results for African Open are as follows:
Senior Men’s 60 kg
1. Christopher Velazco (Coral Springs, Fla. / NYAC / Ki-itsu-sai National Training Center)
2. Joshua Yang (Los Angeles, Calif. / USA Judo National Resident Team)
3. Mounir Benyahia (ALG)
3. Ahmed Alaoui Cherifi (MAR)
5. Salah Eddine Moudetere (ALG)
5. Younes Ben Laribi (ALG)
7. Houssem Harabi (TUN)
7. Vincent Limare (FRA)
Also Competed: Jonathan Yang (Los Angeles, Calif. / USA Judo National Resident Team / L.A. Judo Club), 0-1
Senior Women’s 48 kg
1. Marie-Lune Turmel (CAN)
2. Sidney Tancock (GBR)
3. Cirine Gaaloul (FRA)
3. Oumaima Bedioui (TUN)
5. Katryna Esposito (MLT)
5. Aryna Makeyenka (IJF)
7. Lok Yi Ho (HKG)
7. Nohade Riadi (MAR)
Men’s 66 kg
1. Abderrahmane Boushita (MAR)
2. Vincent Sorgiati (FRA)
3. Moubarak Abou Alfida Boulaich (MAR)
3. Kais Moudetere (ALG)
5. Ayoub Benlaribi (ALG)
5. Rachid Cherrad (ALG)
7. Daniel McCristall (CAN)
7. Ali Taghizadeh (IRI)
Senior Women’s 52 kg
1. Diana Grigorenko (IJF)
2. Faiza Aissahine (ALG0
3. Lola Hodson (GBR)
3. Rahma Tibi (TUN)
5. Yasmine Hadi (ALG)
5. Lycia Anais Guebli (ALG)
7. Hanna Burakova (IJF)
Also Competed: Jenna Schurr (Torrance, Calif.), 0-1; Monica Reyes (Aiea, Hawaii / Hawaii Judo Academy), 0-1
Senior Men’s 73 kg
1. Hassan Doukkali (MAR)
2. Ruslan Halavachou (IJF)
3. Aleddine Ben Chalbi (TUN)
3. Ahmed Mehibel (ALG)
5. Felix Mercier-Ross (CAN)
5. Abdeslam Belbelhout (ALG)
7. Nima Khodabandeh (IRI)
7. Abdelmoumen Nazim Haouam (ALG)
Senior Women’s 57 kg
1. Khadidja Bekheira (ALG)
2. Chaima Sidaoui (TUN)
3. Mariem Jmour (TUN)
3. Marwa Chamkhi (TUN)
5. Amina Berrahoual (ALG)
5. Hanane Brahimi (ALG)
Senior Men’s 81 kg
1. Vincenzo Pelligra (ITA)
2. Elyas Parhizgar (IRI)
3. Ilhomiddin Jabborov (TJK)
3. Arslen Benhaoua (ALG)
5. David Popovici (CAN)
5. Aghiles-Imad Benazoug (ALG)
7. Amine Yassif (MAR)
7. Hleb Khatkouski (IJF)
Also Competed: Davit Aghasaryan (Sunland, Calif. / USA Judo National Resident Team), 0-1
Senior Women’s 63 kg
1. Sara Golden (Crystal Lake, Ill. / USA Judo National Resident Team)
2. Laurence Biron (CAN)
3. Yana Makretskaya (IJF)
3. Chaimae Taibi (MAR)
5. Skye Knoester (RSA)
5. Emily Jaspe (Hilaleah, Fla. / Ki-itsu-sai National Training Center)
7. Viyaleta Fiodarava (IJF)
7. Asma Farhat (TUN)
Senior Men’s 90 kg
1. Amir Abbas Choopan (IRI)
2. Guillaume Gaulin (CAN)
3. Yahor Varapayeu (IJF)
3. Aliaksandr Sidoryk (IJF)
5. Sid Ali Benaboura (ALG)
5. Mouad Guerroumi (ALG)
7. Yassine Kouraichi (TUN)
7. Mariano Coco Bersier (ARG)
Senior Women’s 70 kg
1. Hanna Sitnik (IJF)
2. Isabella Garriga (Richmond, Texas / USA Judo National Resident Team / Westlake Judo Team)
3. Holly Devall (GBR)
3. Nardjis Khacir (ALG)
5. Maidelines Gourguet-Veranes (ROU)
5. Wided Rajhid (TUN)
Also Competed: Yasmin Alamin (Woodbridge, Va. / USA Judo National Resident Team / Sport Judo), 0-2
Senior Men’s 100 kg
1. Hossein Namdar (IRI)
2. Othmane Arbaoui (ALG)
3. Koussay Ben Ghares (TUN)
3. Abdelkader Lakhal (ALG)
5. Sid Ali Mechemache (ALG)
5. Jared Causse (Westminster, Calif. / USA Judo National Resident Team / Los Angeles Tenri Judo Dojo)
Senior Women’s 78 kg
1. Darya Kantsavaya (IJF)
2. Arij Akkab (TUN)
3. Slaviana Rylkevich (IJF)
3. Dyhia Benchallal (ALG)
5. Jihane El Houmate (MAR)
Senior Men’s +100 kg
1. Yahor Kukharenka (IJF)
2. Mohamed El Mehdi Lili (ALG)
3. Wahib Hdiouech (TUN)
3. Adem Kouki (TUN)
5. Mohamed Ben Zid (TUN)
Senior Women’s +78 kg
1. Meroua Mammeri (ALG)
2. Zeineb Troudi (TUN)
3. Wala Cherni (TUN)
3. Cherifa Sabbagh (TUN)
5. Razene Yasmine Yousfi (ALG)
5. Nermine Graoua (ALG)
Top eight and U.S. results for Junior African Cup are as follows:
Junior Men’s 60 kg
1. Ahmed Alaoui Cherifi (MAR)
2. Christopher Velazco (Coral Springs, Fla. / NYAC / Ki-itsu-sai National Training Center)
3. Jonathan Yang (Los Angeles, Calif. / USA Judo National Resident Team / L.A. Judo Club)
3. Salah Eddine Moudetere (ALG)
5. Ilian Ijioui (MAR)
5. Mouad Cheikh Zidi (ALG)
7. Humaid Alshamis (UAE)
7. Laurence Hill (GBR)
Junior Women’s 48 kg
1. Aryna Makeyenka (IJF)
2. Fatima Ezzahra Nidaoui (MAR)
3. Emna Khalfaoui (TUN)
3. Meryem El Maakoul (MAR)
5. Islem Ammar (TUN)
5. Amani Msallmi (TUN)
Junior Men’s 66 kg
1. Magomed Farmonbekov (TJK)
2. Oussama Abdelhak Hezil (ALG)
3. Aniss Ijioui (MAR)
3. Anis Saoudi (ALG)
5. Firas Ben Ncib (TUN)
5. Amine Bitrou (MAR)
7. Robert Jakimov (EST)
7. Edward Jakimov (EST)
Junior Women’s 52 kg
1. Lola Hodson (GBR)
2. Amina Alaoui Cherifi (MAR)
3. Abir Awled Salem (TUN)
3. Diana Grigorenko (IJF)
Junior Men’s 73 kg
1. Abdelmoumen Nazim Haouam (ALG)
2. Anton Dubovik (IJF)
3. Imad Mehibel (ALG)
3. Voris Nazarov (TJK)
5. Nima Khodabandeh (IRI)
5. Amine Sekkal (ALG)
7. Reda Ouatiki (MAR)
7. Ben Moore (GBR)
Junior Women’s 57 kg
1. Hanane Brahimi (ALG)
2. Malek Othmeni (TUN)
3. Nourhane Ghazali (ALG)
Junior Men’s 81 kg
1. Rayen Mejri (TUN)
2. Marios Kapsouros (GRE)
3. Jure Stular (SLO)
3. Yauheni Harbachou (IJF)
5. Kylan Aylward (GBR)
5. Sami Mejri (TUN)
Junior Women’s 63 kg
1. Ons Romdhani (TUN)
2. Neza Mesicek (SLO)
3. Millie Bayliss (GBR)
3. Emily Jaspe (Hilaleah, Fla. / Ki-itsu-sai National Training Center)
5. Viyaleta Fiodarava (IJF)
Junior Men’s 90 kg
1. Amir Abbas Choopan (IRI)
2. Sid Ali Benaboura (ALG)
3. Jassem Ayachi (TUN)
3. Timotej Kos (SLO)
5. Kirill Komin (EST)
Junior Women’s 70 kg
1. Alexandra Papagiannaki (GRE)
2. Chanez Aliouane (ALG)
3. Hanna Sitnik (IJF)
3. Yasmine Hariss (MAR)
5. Gayane Pogosyan (EST)
5. Shavon Gonzalez (West Palm Beach, Fla. / Ki-itsu-sai National Training Center)
Junior Men’s 100 kg
1. Ali Reza Nikseresht (IRI)
2. Yauheni Morau (IJF)
3. Leon Marosek (SLO)
3. Othmane Arbaoui (ALG)
5. Ahmed Sami Bouyacoub (ALG)
5. Ali Rjeb (TUN)
7. Mohamerd Elgoweri (LBA)
Junior Women’s 78 kg
1. Masa Zavrsnik (SLO)
2. Radhia Mejbri (TUN)
3. Slaviana Rylkevich (IJF)
Junior Men’s +100 kg
1. Adem Kouki (TUN)
2. Mohamed Amokrane Sebki (ALG)
3. Alexis San Nicolas (FRA)
3. Mohammadpouria Banaeian Tolki (IRI)
Junior Women’s +78 kg
1. Zeineb Troudi (TUN)
2. Cherifa Sabbagh (TUN)
3. Taouab Aboulizza (MAR)
3. Razene Yasmine Yousfi (ALG)
Top eight and U.S. results for Cadet African Cup are as follows:
Cadet Men’s 50 kg
1. Ala Eddine Sahraoui (ALG)
2. Marouane El Ammari (MAR)
3. Mohamed Seddik Landolsi (TUN)
3. Haithem Ahmed Aiad (ALG)
5. Youssef Souissi (TUN)
5. Ayoub Miraoui (TUN)
Cadet Women’s 40 kg
1. Assil Bennour (TUN)
2. Yousra Bennour (TUN)
Cadet Men’s 55 kg
1. Aymen Sofiane Belfodil (ALG)
2. Yaseen Garahmali (LBA)
3. Ahmed Haraoui (ALG)
3. Rayen Regaieg (TUN)
5. Anas Jaraf (MAR)
5. Majdi Amri (TUN)
7. Masoud Almesmari (UAE)
7. Omar Chabaa (TUN)
Cadet Women’s 44 kg
1. Arij Ben Malek (TUN)
2. Maram Tibi (TUN)
Cadet Men’s 60 kg
1. Mohamed Amine Degouah (ALG)
2. Abdallah Sahbeni (TUN)
3. Amjad Kardoud (MAR)
3. Mohamed Anis Zekkour (ALG)
5. Abderrahmane Lambarraa (MAR)
5. Mohamed Taha El Agbani (MAR)
Cadet Women’s 48 kg
1. Fatima Ezzahra Nidaoui (MAR)
2. Houda Wshah (JOR)
3. Narjess Haddeji (TUN)
3. Emna Khalfaoui (TUN)
Cadet Men’s 66 kg
1. Omar Bouhali (TUN)
2. Abderrahmane El Majjati (MAR)
3. Mohamed Iles Arfoui (TUN)
3. Firas Jammezi (TUN)
5. Mohamed Achour (ALG)
5. Mohammed Meziane (ALG)
Cadet Women’s 52 kg
1. Amina Alsoui Cherifi (MAR)
2. Tasnim Jomli (TUN)
3. Khadija Abdelkafi (TUN)
3. Imen Fendri (TUN)
Cadet Men’s 73 kg
1. Rayane Boukourate (MAR0
2. Yassine Ghiryani (TUN)
3. Roshid Nematov (TJK)
3. Chiheb Sahbeni (TUN)
5. Yassine Selmi (TUN)
Cadet Women’s 57 kg
1. Maram Dhib (TUN)
2. Assia Belbachir (ALG)
3. Khadija Trabelsi (TUN)
3. Abir Bouazzaoui (MAR)
Cadet Men’s 81 kg
1. Tits Kullo (LAT)
2. Soheib Zitouni (ALG)
3. Khatoui Ben Rejab (TUN)
3. Youssef Chieb (TUN)
Cadet Women’s 63 kg
1. Prisca Hubert (FRA)
2. Amina Abboucha (MAR)
3. Yosser Safi (TUN)
3. Ranim Ben Sliman (TUN)
5. Ichrak Amiri (TUN)
Cadet Men’s 90 kg
1. Adnen Zayati (TUN)
2. Mohamed Rayen Salhi (TUN)
3. Adem Landolsi (TUN)
Cadet Women’s 70 kg
1. Yasmine Hariss (MAR)
2. Malak Lakhal (MAR)
3. Dounia Adda (ALG)
3. Aya Hamdi (TUN)
5. Achwak Ben Othmen (TUN)
5. Ritej Agueb (TUN)
Cadet Men’s +90 kg
1. Mohammadpouria Banaeian Tolki (IRI)
2. Petar Novakovic (SRB)
Cadet Women’s +70 kg
1. Jihane Rahma El Mansouri (MAR)
2. Farah Ben Hmida (TUN)
3. Meriem Mejbri (TUN)
