The World Judo Tour has officially returned to the Mubadala Arena for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, following the recent conclusion of the World Championships. The first day of the tournament featured intense competition across several weight categories, with notable victories and historic milestones for participating athletes.
In the women's -48kg division, Azerbaijan’s Konul Aliyeva claimed a historic victory over Turkiye’s Merve Azak, securing the first-ever women’s Grand Slam gold medal for her nation. The medals for this category were presented by International Judo Federation President Mr. Marius Vizer. Meanwhile, in the -52kg final, Croatia’s Tihea Topolovec defeated Olympic medalist Amandine Buchard with a clever waza-ari to win her first career Grand Slam gold. IOC Member Mr. Balazs Fürjes awarded the medals for the -52kg weight class.
The -57kg final saw France’s Martha Fawaz take home her second Grand Slam title after defeating Brazil’s Shirlen Nascimento. Fawaz secured the win with two waza-ari scores, the first coming from an opportune o-soto following a weak attack from Nascimento, and the second from a driving o-uchi-gari. International Judo Federation Vice President Mr. Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko presented her with the gold medal.
In the men’s competition, Azerbaijan’s Balabay Aghayev demonstrated his status as the top seed in the -60kg category, defeating 18-year-old Loiq Kudbudinov with a dynamic ippon. International Judo Federation Vice President Dr. Laszlo Toth awarded the medals. In the -66kg division, Bahrain’s Sukhrob Boqiev, ranked 277th in the world, achieved a surprise gold medal victory over Iago Abuladze in his first world tour final. The medals were awarded by International Judo Federation Vice President Mr. Obaid Al Anzi. The home team also saw notable action from the UAE’s Narmandakh Bayanmunkh. Competition is set to continue with day two of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.
Showcasing why he was the favourite Aghayev showed speed and skill to score a dynamic ippon!
