Funakubo’s groundwork garners the gold

The women’s -52kg final at the Hungary Grand Slam judo championships brought together Russian Olga Mukhina and Japans’s Haruka Funakubo in a mouth watering clash.

Mukhina has already made one of the season’s most striking breakthroughs. Her first World Judo Tour medal came in the form of a gold at the Dushanbe Grand Slam in May of this year and reaching another final at the Hungary Grand Slam confirms her growing place among the leading athletes at -57 kg.

Funakubo brought major championship experience to the final. An Olympic bronze medallist at Paris 2024 and world silver medallist in 2022 and 2023, she is also one of judo’s most respected ne-waza specialists.

In the purest demonstration of her mastery on the ground, Funakubo recovered from conceding a yuko to take gold. The Olympic bronze medallist eventually immobilised Mukhina to secure the victory.

Haruka Funakubo declared, “I’m happy to be back competing in an international tournament. I’ve gained a lot of experience over the years and I think that’s what paid off today. My goal is the Los Angeles Olympics but making the Japanese national team is extremely tough. So first, I want to do my best to win in Japan so I can qualify to compete internationally again.”

Leiva Sanchez controlled her way to gold

Barbara Twarowska of Poland and Ayumi Leiva Sanchez of Spain contested the women’s -52kg final, each looking to make the most of an excellent opportunity to take a grand slam gold. Their presence in the final underlined the depth of a category in which new names continued to challenge the established hierarchy.

Twarowska was one of the youngest finalists of the day. The 18 year old enjoyed a strong cadet career, becoming a European cadet champion and world cadet bronze medallist in 2025, before continuing her progress in 2026 with victory at the Prague junior European cup.

Leiva Sanchez has established herself as one of the most progressive athletes in the category. The 2024 European under 23 champion enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season, collecting four grand slam medals before winning the Zagreb Grand Prix.

The final was controlled from start to finish by Leiva Sanchez. Having scored a yuko with an o-uchi-gari using a grip at the end of the sleeve, she managed the remainder of the contest with assurance and even forced her opponent to receive a penalty on her way to a fine gold medal.

Ayumi Leiva Sanchez declared, “After a tough loss in Switzerland, coming to Budapest was definitely the right choice. My coach always reminds me that I need a real hunger to win and bringing that aggressiveness today made all the difference. I’m super proud to earn my first grand slam gold medal and am deeply grateful to my coaches in Valencia for sticking by me. Signing autographs for the children afterwards was really emotional, reminding me of when I was a child looking up to big judoka, so I always want to give my time back to them.”

Giliazova’s tactical gold

The women’s -48kg final brought together two Russian judoka, Kristina Dudina and Sabina Giliazova, in a contest that guaranteed a strong start to the final block. Dudina had already established herself as one of the most promising athletes in the category. The 2024 European champion, still only 22, had also collected junior world championship bronze medals in 2023 and 2024, as well as grand slam medals in Astana in 2023 and 2026.

Giliazova brought considerably more experience to the final. A European medallist on three occasions, including silver at the 2026 European Championships, she had long been established among the leading judoka at -48 kg.

The final was evenly balanced. Both athletes searched to create openings through changes of direction but neither was able to place the other in real danger. With the contest locked, golden score was needed to separate them. Eventually Giliazova claimed a tactical victory when Dudina received a third penalty.

As she stepped off the mat, Sabina Giliazova explained, “The last time I won gold was in 2024 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and now, two years later, I’m a gold medallist again, which I’m really happy about! I’m trying not to let my emotions loose just yet, as I’m focused on preparing for the upcoming world championship, where I want to give it my all.”

Yotov’s counter-attack masterclass

The men’s -66kg final saw Boyan Yotov of Bulgaria meet Byambasuren Ulziibayar of Mongolia. Each produced a performance required to progress through a demanding category, earning the right to compete for the gold medal.

Yotov has already shown his potential with a bronze medal at the Zagreb Grand Prix in 2025. Reaching this Hungary Grand Slam final marks another important step in his progression at senior level.

Ulziibayar arrived in Budapest with no significant international reference point, ranked outside the world’s top 500. His progress to the final therefore stood as one of the most unexpected stories of the opening day.

Unimpressed by the occasion, Ulziibayar was the first to pose a threat, with several small attacks that unsettled Yotov but without producing a score. Yet it was Yotov who struck meaningfully first, producing a lightning fast counter for a waza-ari. Once the early Mongolian attacks had been absorbed, the Bulgarian showed complete confidence in his judo and in his ability to counter. He did so a second time but this time for a faultless ippon and the gold medal.

Immediately after the final, Boyan Yotov explained, “It was a great pleasure to compete here and I’m happy I finally realised my visualisations. I was just in the moment, performing at my best and letting the energy run through me. Recently I read a book by Robin Sharma, ‘The Saint, the Surfer and the CEO,’ which taught me to stop competing for medals and focus on becoming the best version of myself instead. Having the children supporting me was a special feeling, even more special than being on the tatami! I love that they get excited and I hope some of them will compete with me in the future. The atmosphere and training hall were incredible too and I’m glad I could perform at my best here. As for the upcoming world championships, you’ll have to ask my coach, but I certainly hope I’ll be there!”

Ashpiz strikes gold in style

The men’s -60kg final paired Izhak Ashpiz of Israel with France’s Enzo Jean. Each athlete reached the decisive contest after an impressive day of judo, with the opportunity to claim the grand slam gold medal.

Ashpiz arrived in Budapest as one of the category’s most exciting young talents. Still only 18, he has already won world cadet bronze in 2023 and the European cadet title in 2024, before stepping up to take grand prix gold in Lima in 2025 and both grand slam and European bronze medals in 2026.

Jean has continued his rapid progression on the international circuit. After winning his first grand slam medal, bronze in Paris in 2025, he claimed gold at the Zagreb Grand Prix later that year, confirming his ability to compete among the world’s best.

Ashpiz appeared to take the lead before the halfway point of the final with a small ashi-waza attack that was initially awarded a yuko, before being cancelled for insufficient impact. He nevertheless continued to put pressure on Jean, forcing him into errors and taking the advantage on penalties. Ashpiz then settled the contest in spectacular fashion, countering Jean for a resounding ippon and the gold medal.

Izhak Ashpiz said, “I am very happy to win a grand slam again. It’s a very good feeling and I want it more. Winning the gold medal has taken believing in myself, my team believing in me, and teamwork. My expectation for myself at the World Championships in Baku is to be at the top of the podium. I will train hard and we will see the results.”