As the No. 4 seed, Mascha opened the day on fire. She started with back-to-back ne-waza victories – first against Paulina Martinez (MEX) and then Tatum Keen (GBR) – both finished with sharp, clinical groundwork.In the quarterfinal, she took on Hungary’s Roza Gyertyas and scored a beautiful uchi-mata, sending a clear message that she was here for another podium.
Then came the semifinal – a with none other than Abe Uta, Japan’s four-time World Champion and one of the most dominant figures in this category. Abe capitalized early, and Mascha had to regroup for the fight for bronze.
In the bronze medal contest, Mascha faced another Japanese powerhouse – Omori Kisumi. What followed was a true battle of wills. The match went deep into Golden Score, with both athletes giving everything. At the three-minute mark in overtime, Mascha seized her moment – launching a perfectly timed obi-tori-gaeshi that sealed her second world bronze in as many years.
After the match, there was emotion not just from Mascha, but from her corner. Waiting for her was her sister, Seija Ballhaus, the current European Champion, who competes tomorrow.“I can’t believe it, you did it again. You were so strong,”
The support between the Ballhaus sisters is something special. Tomorrow, Seija will step onto the tatami, looking to follow in her sister’s footsteps – and perhaps even write her own World Championship story.Reflecting on her incredible achievement, Mascha shared: “My confidence has really grown because of the good results over the past year. Last year’s bronze was such a surprise—I came in with no expectations. But this year? I prepared really, really well. Physically, I feel amazing.”
Congratulations, Mascha – you're not just winning medals, you're inspiring a generation. And we can’t wait to see what comes next for the Ballhaus sisters.
