Mizuki Harada of Japan beaten by China's Hui Xinran (Photo by Tamara Kulumbegashvili/IJF)
Tashkent Grand Slam judo championships, delivered a day that reminded everyone why judo remains one of the most demanding and inspiring sports on the international stage. Favourites were tested. New names emerged. Legends confirmed their standing. And above all, the host nation gave its supporters moments of immense pride.
Upsets That Redefined the Categories
The women’s -48 kg category set the tone. The early exit of Shrine Boukli of France opened the door to a reshaped podium and China’s Hui Xinran Hui stepped through it with authority to claim gold. It was a powerful reminder that opportunity belongs to those ready to seize it.
Built on sharp action–reaction exchanges, shifting from forward to backward pressure, the contest remained finely balanced deep into the final minute. It was Xinran who seized a decisive advantage as the clock ticked down. Once ahead, the Chinese judoka controlled the closing exchanges with maturity to secure a superb victory in Tashkent, and with it, the first gold medal of this 2026 grand slam edition.
In the women’s -52 kg, the hierarchy was challenged once again. In a field rich with experience, it was Kokoro Fujishiro of Japan who emerged strongest after a tactical and disciplined campaign. Her performance highlighted depth and constant renewal at the top level of women’s judo as she defeated Khorloodoi Bishrelt of the UAE.
It was a tense and highly tactical affair, difficult to manage and finely balanced throughout. With less than two minutes remaining in normal time, only one penalty had been awarded to each judoka. Both finalists appeared impenetrable, defensive fortresses refusing to yield. As the clock wound down, Bishrelt received a second penalty for passivity and the contest moved into golden score.
After just over a minute of additional time, Fujishiro found the breakthrough. Transitioning swiftly into groundwork, she secured a decisive hold-down to claim the gold medal in commanding fashion.
Excellence Confirmed, Ambition Rewarded
In the -66 kg division, Hifumi Abe demonstrated why he is regarded one of the sport’s modern greats. With precision and composure, he captured a 14th grand slam gold medal, reinforcing a legacy that continues to grow. He now holds more grand slam gold medals than any other judoka since the inception of the World Judo Tour in 2009.
Abe’s final against teammate Shinsei Hattori, began with a brief feeling-out exchange; brief, because Abe seemed to take the measure of his younger compatriot quickly.
Hattori showed clear intent and determination to challenge his illustrious teammate but he was given little opportunity to settle. Launching a high-powered hip technique and finishing with a moment of sheer brilliance, Abe sent Hattori crashing to the tatami with breathtaking speed.
Meanwhile, at -60 kg, Ahmad Yusifov reached a career milestone. By overcoming compatriot Balabay Aghayev in an intense all-Azerbaijani final, he secured his first grand slam gold medal, a testament to perseverance and belief at the highest level.
It was tense and tactical, the two judoka knowing each other inside and out. Neither was willing to yield ground. At the start of golden score, Aghayev carried a slight disadvantage, having accumulated two penalties during normal time.
Beyond the gold medal itself, there was perhaps even more at stake, the symbolic battle for national supremacy at -60 kg. With his Paris victory, Aghayev had held the upper hand in recent months.
As the contest wore on and the athletes stood level on two penalties each, it was Yusifov who struck. Launching a seoi-otoshi as a last resort, he scored at the crucial moment to claim his first grand slam gold medal. Aghayev, after gold in Paris, had to settle this time for silver, though his remarkable run continues.
A Proud Day for Uzbekistan
The heartbeat of the day belonged to the host nation. In the -57 kg category, Shukurjon Aminova rose to the occasion to beat Mio Shirakane of Japan. Backed by an electrifying home crowd, she secured gold and deliver Uzbekistan its first title of the tournament.
The final proved to be a contest of tremendous intensity. At the end of a fiercely contested battle, it was Aminova and the entire arena, who were smiling. As a third penalty was awarded to Shirakane, a broad smile spread across the face of the Uzbek judoka.
The celebrations continued as Doston Ruziev claimed bronze at -60 kg, adding further joy to the crowd in the stands and reinforcing the impact of competing on home soil.
Final Results
Men’s -60 kg: 1. YUSIFOV Ahmad (AZE); 2. AGHAYEV Balabay (AZE); 3. NAKAMURA Taiki (JPN) and RUZIEV Doston (UZB); 5. SUFIEV Mehrzod (TJK) and GADELIA Luka (GEO); 7. AUGUSTO Michel (BRA) and SUN Jiahao (CHN)
Men’s -66 kg: 1. ABE Hifumi (JPN); 2. HATTORI Shinsei (JPN); 3. EMOMALI Nurali (TJK) and PARCHIEV Abdullakh (RUS); 5. ACCOGLI Valerio (ITA) and KIM Channyeong (KOR); 7. LIMA Ronald (BRA) and BEKMURODOV Zamohshari (UZB)
Women’s -48 kg: 1. HUI Xinran (CHN); 2. HARADA Mizuki (JPN); 3. LABORDE Maria Celia (USA) and YOSHINO Sachiyo (JPN); 5. HAYDAROVA Laziza (UZB) and 5. MILANI Francesca (ITA); 7. HAMIDOVA Shafag (AZE) and 7. BEDER Tugce (TUR)
Women’s -52 kg: 1. FUJISHIRO Kokoro (JPN); 2. BISHRELT Khorloodoi (UAE); 3. GIUFFRIDA Odette (ITA) and NUGAEVA Liliia (RUS); 5. CONCEICAO Gabriela (BRA) and ASVESTA Sofia (CYP); 7. RAFKATOVA Sugdiyona (UZB) and KALETA Aleksandra (POL)
Women’s -57 kg: 1. AMINOVA Shukurjon (UZB); 2. SHIRAKANE Mio (JPN); 3. LIMA Jessica (BRA) and PULJIZ Ana Viktorija (CRO); 5. REIS Bianca (BRA) and LIPARTELIANI Eteri (GEO); 7. NELSON LEVY Timna (ISR) and CARNA Giulia (ITA)
