Judoka Katryna Esposito etched her name further into Maltese sporting history by claiming a bronze medal in the women’s -48kg category at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games — successfully defending the Commonwealth Games bronze medal she first won in Birmingham 2022.

The Maltese judoka opened her campaign at the SEC Centre with a strong victory over Marie Thomas of Mauritius. Focused and determined from the first exchange, Esposito took control with dominant grips and overpowered her opponent, sealing the win with a waza-ari (half point).

Following this victory Esposito went on to clash against the higher ranked athlete Heidi Quach of Canada, where she engaged in a hard-fought eight-minute contest. Despite her efforts, Quach prevailed, advancing to the gold medal final via ippon (full point/instant win).

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 31: Katryna Esposito of Team Malta competes against Eva Ewing of Team Scotland during the Women -48kg Bronze Medal Match on day eight of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at SEC Centre on July 31, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

Esposito bounced back in style. Determined not to return home empty-handed, she faced home favourite Eva Ewing of Scotland in the bronze medal match, taking control from the outset and scoring early. She then delivered the decisive blow — a superb armlock submission that left Ewing with no option but to tap out, securing victory via ippon and with it, the bronze medal.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 31: Gold medalist Asmita Dey of Team India, Silver medalist Heidi Quach of Team Canada and Bronze medalists Katryna Esposito of Team Malta and Summer Shaw of Team Scotland pose for a photo during the medal ceremony for the Women -48 kg Judo on day eight of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at SEC Centre on July 31, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Ewing had reached the bronze medal match through the repechage after losing her quarter-final bout to Asmita Dey of India, who went on to win the Gold medal.