The Judo World Tour has made a triumphant return to Budapest, lighting up the Papp Lazlo Arena with excitement as athletes from 67 countries showcased their skills on the first day of the Hungary Grand Slam 2026. It was an electrifying atmosphere, with the crowd buzzing in anticipation of the fierce battles set to unfold on the tatami.
In the -48Kg category, Kristina DUDINA faced off against Sabina GILIAZOVA. It was a nail-biting contest that extended into golden score, where GILIAZOVA displayed her technical prowess to emerge victorious, clinching the gold medal. The medals were proudly awarded by IOC Member, Mr. Mustapha BERRAF, adding to the significance of the moment for the competitors.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Izhak ASHPIZ was making waves in his third consecutive -60Kg Grand Slam medal match. The young prodigy executed a perfectly timed Ura-nage, a judo throw that sealed his fate and earned him his second Grand Slam gold. The cheers of the crowd echoed through the arena as he received his medal from the President of the Spanish National Olympic Committee, Mr. Alejandro BLANCO. This kid’s a rising star, and you could feel the energy he brought to the mat!
The -52Kg final was another highlight of the day, featuring Barbara TWAROWSKA from Poland against Ayumi LEIVA SANCHEZ from Spain. LEIVA SANCHEZ managed to score a yuko, clinching her first Grand Slam gold and sending her supporters into a frenzy. IOC Member Mrs. Filomena FORTES was on hand to present the medals, making the moment even more special for the young athlete.
Boyan YOTOV of Bulgaria proved to be a force to be reckoned with in the -66Kg final. He was on fire throughout the day, and in the final match, he scored a Waza-ari early on and then executed a stunning Ippon, sealing his victory and demonstrating his dominance. The excitement was palpable as IOC Member Mrs. Petra SÖRLING awarded the medals, and the thrill of victory was clear on YOTOV’s face.
In the -57Kg final, it was none other than Japan’s Haruka FUNAKUBO, the 2023 world silver medalist, who struck gold. She quickly scored a clean yuko and secured her victory with impressive groundwork. The atmosphere was electric as Vice President of the International Judo Federation, Dr. Laszlo TOTH, awarded the medals, and you could see the pride in her eyes.
The home nation truly put on a spectacular show, and the energy in the arena only set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating Day 2 of the Grand Slam. Everyone is buzzing with excitement, and you can bet the anticipation will only grow as the competition heats up. We’ll see you tomorrow—who knows what surprises are in store?
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber