Judo 2026 World Championships: Koga and Yusifov Strike Gold on Opening Day in Baku
By Euronews with IJF
Published on •Updated
Welcome to Baku, Azerbaijan, the place new legends will rise to assert their pink again patches on the Baku World Judo Championships 2026.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
At -48kg, Italy’s Assunta SCUTTO claimed her place within the remaining for the third time in a row with spectacular judo all morning. Her third time in a World remaining, however might she take the gold for a second time?
Meeting her there was Japan’s KOGA Wakana. The Japanese judoka was in unbelievable type, with prime quality judo all through the day. KOGA already has a World bronze and silver, would this be the 12 months to assert the lacking gold? With each contest, she appeared more and more assured, carrying actual momentum into the ultimate.
In the ultimate the 2 skilled judoka clashed. It was a tightly fought contest, with neither judoka giving a lot away, earlier than KOGA seized her alternative on the bottom. Calm beneath stress, she transformed the chance decisively to carry the competition to an emphatic shut. It was KOGA who walked away topped the World Champion. A breakthrough second for the Japanese star.
Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee Secretary General Mr Azer ALIYEV awarded the medals.
In the -60kg, Ahmad YUSIFOV secured his first time in a World remaining right here in his residence nation. An spectacular feat for the native favorite who was seeking to declare his pink backpatch. With the Baku crowd firmly behind him, the stage was set for an enormous residence remaining.
Facing him was Kazakhstan’s Sherzod DAVLATOV, additionally in his first World remaining. Would DAVLATOV safe himself a spot in historical past? The Kazakh had appeared composed and harmful all through the day.
YUSIFOV rose to the event in entrance of a passionate residence crowd to assert victory. With the stress at its highest, YUSIFOV got here from a rating down, sparking large celebrations and creating what is certain to be one of many standout moments of this World Championships.
International Judo Federation Executive Committee Member Mr Timur KEMELL awarded the medals.
What an unbelievable first day right here in Baku. Join us tomorrow within the land of fireside.
