The final Grand Prix of the 2026 Judo World Tour got underway in the Croatian capital on Friday, with the Arena Zagreb hosting more than 400 athletes from over 60 countries. The opening day delivered a mix of established champions and breakout performances, with several European judoka making their mark on the tatami.
Scutto Shines Again at -48kg
In the women's -48kg category, Italy's Assunta Scutto, a former world champion, faced Kazakhstan's Galiya Tynbayeva in the final. Scutto produced a beautifully timed counter-attack to secure the win, earning her second Grand Prix gold of the season. The medals were presented by Dr Laszlo Toth, Vice President of the International Judo Federation.
Yang Takes -60kg in a Technical Battle
The men's -60kg final saw Kazakhstan's Aman Bakytzhan go up against Yang Yung Wei of Chinese Taipei. Both fighters scored a waza-ari, leaving the contest finely balanced. In the end, it was Yang who prevailed in the technical exchanges, taking the gold. Mohammed Meridja, the IJF's Education & Coaching Director, awarded the medals.
Gyertyas Upsets Olympic Champion en Route to Gold
Hungary's Roza Gyertyas had a standout day in the -52kg category. She defeated the reigning Olympic champion in the semi-finals, then dominated the final with superior groundwork to claim her first Grand Prix gold. The medals were presented by His Excellency Mr Oybek Shakhavdinov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Hungary and Croatia.
Serikbayev's Debut Ends in Glory
Kazakhstan's Nurkanat Serikbayev, competing in his first Grand Prix final block, delivered a spectacular sumi-gaeshi for an ippon in the -66kg final, earning his first Grand Prix medal—and it was gold. Reflecting on his time in Zagreb, Serikbayev said: "This is my first time visiting Croatia, and it's been wonderful. It's a beautiful, spacious and comfortable place, and the people are very friendly and down-to-earth. The locals are really welcoming and humble."
Nascimento's Strangle Seals -57kg Victory
Brazil's Shirlen Nascimento closed the day's finals with a brilliant stranglehold to take the -57kg title, her first Grand Prix gold. The competition continues on Saturday with the second day of action.
The Zagreb event is the last stop on the 2026 Grand Prix circuit, and with the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam already in the books, European judoka are using this tournament to fine-tune their form ahead of the continental championships. The strong showing from Italy, Hungary, and Kazakhstan underscores the depth of talent across the continent, a trend also seen in Azerbaijan's historic performance earlier this season.
With two more days of competition remaining, all eyes will be on the heavier weight categories, where several European contenders are expected to challenge for podium places. The atmosphere in Zagreb has been electric, and the local crowd has embraced the international field, adding to the event's appeal as a key stop on the World Tour.
