Baku's National Gymnastics Arena hosted the middleweight finals on day four of the World Judo Championships, delivering two compelling storylines: a Georgian champion cementing his legacy and a Japanese prodigy extending an unprecedented unbeaten run.
Kaju's flawless reign continues
In the women's -63kg category, Haruka Kaju entered the final with a perfect record on the World Judo Tour, and she left with that record intact. The reigning world champion, who has never lost a senior international contest, faced Kerem Primo of Israel in what was Primo's first-ever World Judo Tour final.
Kaju, known for her exceptional newaza (groundwork), controlled the final from the outset. Once she took the contest to the mat, her clinical transitions and pinning techniques left Primo with no answers. The Japanese judoka secured the win, extending her unbeaten streak to 40 contests and retaining the red backpatch that marks her as world champion.
"She is a phenomenon," said a commentator during the broadcast. "Her ability to find openings on the ground is unmatched in this weight class."
Football legend Lothar Matthäus, a German World Cup winner, presented the medals to Kaju and the other podium finishers.
Grigalashvili's fourth title
In the men's -81kg category, Georgia's Tato Grigalashvili, a three-time world champion, was aiming to add a fourth title to his collection. After settling for silver last year, the 27-year-old was determined to return to the top step of the podium.
Standing in his way was Azerbaijan's Zelim Tckaev, who had won bronze at the 2024 World Championships and was competing in front of a passionate home crowd in Baku. The atmosphere was electric as the two finalists faced off, with the Azerbaijani fans roaring their support for Tckaev.
Grigalashvili, however, rose to the occasion. The Georgian delivered a composed and powerful performance, securing the victory and with it his fourth world title. The win further cements his place among judo's modern greats, a status that now seems beyond dispute.
"This one is special because it came in such a hostile environment," Grigalashvili said after the match. "The crowd was against me, but I used that energy to push myself harder."
Rashad Nabiyev, president of the Azerbaijan Judo Federation, presented the medals.
The day's results have significant implications for the Olympic qualification rankings, with both Kaju and Grigalashvili strengthening their positions as favourites for gold in Los Angeles 2028. For European judo, the success of Grigalashvili and the emergence of Primo highlight the continent's depth in the sport, even as Japan continues to dominate in the lighter weight classes.
As the championships move into the heavier categories, the focus will shift to the likes of France and the Netherlands, who have traditionally excelled in the +78kg and +100kg divisions. But for now, Baku belongs to Kaju and Grigalashvili.
