The 2026 Asian Judo Championships concluded in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, on April 19, with Mongolia capturing the gold medal in the mixed team event to cap off four days of competition.
The final day of the championships featured the mixed team final at the Ordos Municipal Sports Affairs Development Center Gymnasium, where Mongolia edged out Kazakhstan for the top spot on the podium. Kyrgyzstan and South Korea shared the bronze medals after both were defeated in the semifinals.
According to official reports from the Ordos municipal government and local media, the competition ran from April 16 to April 19, bringing together 21 nations and regions across Asia. A total of 288 athletes, along with coaches and officials, participated in the event.
China, as the host nation, fielded a team of 18 athletes and finished the championships with a total of two gold medals, one silver, and six bronze medals. The host city’s organizers highlighted the successful delivery of the continental event, citing adequate venue facilities and smooth operational execution.
The opening ceremony on April 16 included a cultural performance titled “Welcome to Ordos,” flag bearers representing international judo bodies, and an athlete’s oath taken by Chinese judoka Buhebilige. The first day of competition awarded medals in the men’s 60 kg and 66 kg divisions, and the women’s 48 kg and 52 kg categories.
In the women’s 48 kg event, Chinese athletes Huixinran and Zhuang Wenna tied for third place, each receiving a bronze medal. Xue Ziyang also secured bronze for China in the men’s 66 kg division on the opening day.
Later in the tournament, China’s Niu Xinran claimed the gold medal in the women’s +78 kg category. Speaking after her victory, Niu said, “In my own country, on my home court, I wish to protect this medal in my weight class. Winning this gold is just the beginning of my journey. Moving forward, I will aim for an Olympic championship.” Her comments were recorded by local media covering the event.
Throughout the competition, officials from the Asian Judo Union, including President Obaid Anzi, attended alongside representatives from national federations in Mongolia, South Korea, and Japan, as well as leaders from China’s General Administration of Sport and the Chinese Judo Association.
The championships served as a platform for regional athletic exchange and aimed to promote judo participation at the grassroots level in Ordos. Local student athletes expressed enthusiasm about witnessing international competition firsthand, with one wrestler from the Ordos Sports Vocational Middle School noting the inspiration gained from seeing elite athletes compete nearby.
With the mixed team finals marking the end of the competition, all scheduled events were completed as planned. The host city confirmed that the tournament concluded without incident and fulfilled its objectives as an international sporting event.
Looking ahead, participating nations will use the results and experience gained in Ordos to prepare for upcoming international fixtures, including qualification pathways for major global tournaments.
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