Tbilisi, Georgia – The German judo team concluded competition at the 2026 Tbilisi Grand Slam with two medals: a silver for Alina Böhm in the women’s -78kg category and a bronze for Losseni Kone in the men’s +100kg division. The tournament, held from March 20th to 22nd, saw strong performances from several German athletes, though only Böhm and Kone reached the podium. This Tbilisi Grand Slam event showcased judo talent from 51 countries, with a total of 386 judoka competing.
Böhm Secures Silver Despite Injury Concern
Alina Böhm enjoyed a strong run to the final in the -78kg competition. According to reports from the event, Böhm received a bye in the initial round, then secured victories in her subsequent two matches, advancing to the semi-finals. There, she defeated Great Britain’s Emma Reid, sending Reid to the repechage bracket. However, a concern arose regarding a potential injury. The German coaching staff, prioritizing Böhm’s long-term health, made the difficult decision to withdraw her from the final match. This resulted in a silver medal for Böhm.
Böhm’s performance builds on a recent string of competitive appearances, including a bronze medal at the Paris Grand Slam in February 2026, as detailed on JudoTV (judotv.com). Her current world ranking is #6 in the -78kg category.
Kone Fights to Bronze in +100kg Division
Losseni Kone also demonstrated impressive form, winning three consecutive matches to reach the semi-finals of the men’s +100kg division. He then overcame Russia’s Artem Zolotukhin in a hard-fought semi-final bout, earning a place in the gold medal contest. Unfortunately, Kone was unable to secure victory in the final, falling to Georgia’s Irakli Demetrashvili and claiming the bronze medal. Demetrashvili’s win was a highlight for the home crowd.
Cavelius Finishes Fifth
Timo Caveluis also had a notable showing, finishing fifth in his weight class. He received a bye in the first round and then won his next two matches before being eliminated in the quarter-finals. Caveluis then battled through the repechage, securing another victory before ultimately losing the bronze medal match to Serbia’s Mihajlo Simin.
Development Focus for German Judo Team
Women’s national coach Claudiu Pusa emphasized the developmental aspect of the team’s participation in Tbilisi. He stated, as reported by sources covering the event, “It is still enough work ahead of us. The team still needs something, especially hard competition experience at the highest level.” Pusa’s comments suggest a focus on building experience within a younger cohort of German judoka. The team largely deployed its “Perspektivteam” – a development squad – at the Tbilisi Grand Slam.
Several other German judoka participated in the tournament but were eliminated after their initial or second matches. This underscores the ongoing process of building depth within the German national team.
Results Overview
The Tbilisi Grand Slam 2026 saw competition across various weight classes for both men and women. Notable winners included Izhak Ashpiz of Israel in the men’s -60kg category and Tugce Beder of Turkey in the women’s -48kg category, as reported by the IJF (ijf.org). The event provided valuable competitive experience for athletes preparing for upcoming international tournaments, including potential qualification events for the Olympic Games.
For those following the German team, the Tbilisi Grand Slam offered a glimpse into the future of German judo. While the team didn’t secure multiple medals, the performances of Böhm, Kone, and Caveluis, along with Pusa’s emphasis on development, suggest a positive trajectory for the program.
Key Takeaways:
- Alina Böhm secured a silver medal in the women’s -78kg category, withdrawing from the final due to injury concerns.
- Losseni Kone won a bronze medal in the men’s +100kg division after a strong run to the semi-finals.
- Timo Caveluis finished fifth in his weight class, demonstrating competitive form.
- The German team is focusing on developing its younger athletes, as highlighted by coach Claudiu Pusa.
The next scheduled competition for the German judo team is yet to be announced. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates on their progress and upcoming events.
What did you think of the German team’s performance in Tbilisi? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
