The World Judo Tour resumed at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi for the Grand Slam, just weeks after the World Championships. The opening day delivered a historic milestone for Azerbaijan and strong performances from European athletes.
Azerbaijan's breakthrough
In the women's -48kg final, Konul Aliyeva of Azerbaijan faced Merve Azak of Turkey. Aliyeva's victory marked the first ever women's Grand Slam gold for her country, a significant achievement for Azerbaijani judo, which has been building momentum in recent years. The medal ceremony was led by International Judo Federation (IJF) President Marius Vizer.
Earlier in the day, at -60kg, top seed Balabay Aghayev, also from Azerbaijan, lived up to his billing. The 18-year-old Loiq Kudbudinov of Uzbekistan was his opponent, but Aghayev's speed and technique proved decisive, culminating in a dynamic ippon. IJF Vice President Dr Laszlo Toth presented the medals.
European successes
Croatia's Tihea Topolovec delivered a standout performance in the -52kg final against France's Amandine Buchard, an Olympic medalist. Topolovec secured a clever waza-ari to claim her first Grand Slam gold, a result that will boost her confidence ahead of future competitions. IOC Member Balazs Fürjes awarded the medals.
France's Martha Fawaz also shone in the -57kg category. Facing Brazil's Shirlen Nascimento, Fawaz scored two waza-ari: the first came from an opportunistic o-soto-gari after a weak attack from her opponent, and the second was a driving o-uchi-gari that carried her across the mat. This victory gave Fawaz her second Grand Slam title. IJF Vice President Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko presented her with the gold.
Upset in the men's -66kg
Bahrain's Sukhrob Boqiev, ranked 277th in the world, caused a major surprise by winning his first World Tour final against Iago Abuladze. Boqiev's unexpected gold was a testament to the unpredictability of judo. The medals were awarded by IJF Vice President Obaid Al Anzi.
The home crowd had reasons to cheer as well, with the UAE's Narmandakh Bayanmunkh delivering some impressive action on the mat.
For Azerbaijan, this success adds to a growing list of sporting achievements. The country has been investing in sports infrastructure and hosting international events, as seen in its recent AI-driven public services forum. The nation's athletes are also gaining recognition beyond judo, with its Caucasus slopes emerging as a budget-friendly winter escape for European travelers.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam continues over the weekend, with more categories and athletes from across the globe competing for valuable ranking points.
