ORDOS, China — The Chinese judo team concluded its campaign at the 2026 Asian Judo Championships with a solid medal haul, securing two gold, one silver, and six bronze medals across 14 weight categories in Ordos, Inner Mongolia. Head coach Stephen Trayno expressed satisfaction with the squad’s performance, emphasizing growth and resilience throughout the competition.
The tournament, held from April 15 to April 19 at the Ordos Sports Centre, featured top athletes from across Asia competing in seven men’s and seven women’s divisions. China’s medal count placed them among the top-performing nations, though exact final standings were not immediately released by the Asian Judo Union. The results reflect continued progress for a program aiming to build on its success ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Trayno, an Irish-born coach who has led the national team since 2021, highlighted the mental toughness displayed by younger athletes in high-pressure matches. “I’m satisfied with how the team handled adversity,” he said in a post-event press conference. “We saw athletes come back from tough losses, adjust their tactics, and fight for bronze medals when gold wasn’t possible. That’s the mindset we want to cultivate.”
China’s gold medals came in the women’s -48 kg and men’s -66 kg categories. Wu Zhe claimed victory in the women’s lightweight final, defeating a Japanese opponent with an ippon via osoto-gari in the closing seconds. Meanwhile, Bai Colli won gold in the men’s half-middleweight division, using a combination of gripping control and counter-techniques to overcome a South Korean rival in the semifinals before securing the top prize.
The silver medal was earned by Tang Jing in the women’s -57 kg class, who lost a closely contested final to a Mongolian athlete after accumulating two shido penalties for passivity. Six bronze medals rounded out the tally, with notable performances from Li Yanan in the women’s -70 kg and Xiao Yanzhang in the men’s +100 kg divisions, both of whom won repechage bouts to reach the podium.
Trayno acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in ne-waza (ground technique) execution and consistency in grip fighting against European-style opponents commonly seen in international circuits. “We’re closing the gap, but we still need to be sharper in transitions and more aggressive when we have the advantage,” he noted. “These championships showed us where we stand and what we need to fix before the World Championships later this year.”
The Ordos Sports Centre, a modern facility built for the 2022 Inner Mongolia Games, provided a compact but energetic atmosphere throughout the five-day event. Attendance grew steadily, with local school groups and martial arts clubs filling the stands during afternoon sessions. Organizers reported strong regional interest, particularly in grassroots judo programs across northern China.
Looking ahead, the Chinese team will shift focus to preparation for the 2026 World Judo Championships in Budapest, scheduled for May. Trayno confirmed that several medalists from Ordos will be part of the core squad, while others will undergo targeted conditioning and tactical camps at the national training base in Beijing.
For fans following the team’s journey, updates will be posted regularly through the Chinese Judo Association’s official channels and archived match footage is expected to be made available via the International Judo Federation’s streaming platform in the coming weeks.
The 2026 Asian Judo Championships served as both a benchmark and a stepping stone. With a balanced mix of youthful energy and experienced leadership, China’s judo program continues to evolve — not just chasing medals, but building a culture of relentless improvement.
Stay tuned to Archysport for the next update on China’s judo team as they prepare for the World Championships in May. Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on social media using #JudoAsia2026.
