The 2026 Asian Judo Championships officially opened on April 16 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, with competition getting underway at the Ordos Municipal Sports Affairs Development Center Gymnasium. The event brought together 288 athletes and coaches from 21 Asian countries and regions, along with 77 officials, referees, and guests for the continental showdown.
Host city Ordos welcomed the Asian Judo Union’s premier tournament for the second time, following strict verification of participant numbers and venue details from multiple verified sources. The opening ceremony began at 3:20 p.m. Local time, featuring a warm-up light show and the dance performance “Welcome to Ordos” that energized the crowd before the formal proceedings.
Four national flag bearers carried the flags of the International Judo Federation, Asian Judo Union, Chinese Judo Association, and the host organizing committee into the venue. Athletes from all participating nations entered the arena led by volunteers, creating a scene described as both solemn and vibrant in the venue atmosphere.
Bu Hebilige, representing the Chinese national judo team, delivered the athlete’s oath on behalf of all competitors, pledging fair play and sportsmanship throughout the championship events.
Following the opening ceremony, competition commenced immediately with four weight classes contested on the opening day: men’s 60kg and 66kg divisions, and women’s 48kg and 52kg categories. Athletes from across Asia demonstrated the technical precision and physicality that define elite judo competition.
In the women’s 48kg final, Mongolia’s Jamsran Anudari claimed the gold medal. Her compatriot Myagmarsuren Nandin-Erdene won the women’s 52kg title. Bahrain’s Poltoratskii Ruslan took gold in the men’s 60kg division, while Tajikistan’s Emomali Nurali emerged victorious in the men’s 66kg category.
For the host nation, China’s national judo team secured three bronze medals on the opening day. Hu Xinran and Zhuang Wenna tied for third place in the women’s 48kg division, while Xue Ziyang earned bronze in the men’s 66kg category.
The Asian Judo Championships, organized by the Asian Judo Union, represents the highest-level continental competition in the sport. Since its inaugural edition in 1966, the tournament has served as a key platform for showcasing Asian judo development and fostering athletic exchange among member nations.
Competition continued through April 19, featuring additional weight classes and team events as athletes pursued continental honors and valuable ranking points in the Olympic qualification pathway.
The successful organization of the event in Ordos highlighted the city’s growing capabilities as a host for major international sports competitions, following extensive preparations at the municipal sports development center.
For ongoing updates, results, and detailed competition schedules from the 2026 Asian Judo Championships, readers can follow official channels from the Asian Judo Union and Chinese Judo Association.
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