Wu Hongtao Wins Gold at 2026 Asian Judo Championships as Shanxi Athlete Leads China’s Medal Push

ORDOS, Inner Mongolia — Shanxi athlete Wu Hongtao captured the women’s -78kg judo title at the 2026 Asian Judo Championships on April 19, delivering China’s first gold medal of the tournament and capping a strong performance for the host nation’s delegation.

Competing at the Ordos Sports Development Center, Wu advanced through the bracket with wins over athletes from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan before facing world No. 12 Elizabeth Litvinenko of the United Arab Emirates in the final. After falling behind early in the match, Wu scored a decisive waza-ari hold-down with 28 seconds remaining in regulation time to reverse the bout and claim victory.

The win marked Wu’s second appearance at the Asian Championships. She previously earned a bronze medal in 2023 after a semifinal loss to a Japanese competitor. Her success in Ordos contributed to China’s overall tally of two gold, one silver, and six bronze medals across all 14 weight divisions, with 18 athletes representing the nation.

Path to the Podium

Wu’s journey to the final began with commanding victories in her opening matches. She defeated her Kazakhstani opponent in the first round and followed up with a win over an Uzbekistani judoka in the second round, both secured during regular time to set up a semifinal berth.

In the semifinals, Wu faced tougher resistance but prevailed to advance to the gold medal match. There, she encountered Litvinenko, who entered the contest ranked among the world’s elite in the -78kg division. The UAE athlete took an early lead, accumulating three effective points and appearing poised to secure the win.

With less than 30 seconds left on the clock, Wu executed a pinning technique recognized as waza-ari under International Judo Federation rules. The score not only tied the match but gave her the advantage due to scoring precedence, resulting in a dramatic reversal and the championship title.

Consistent Rise in Domestic Competition

Wu’s international breakthrough builds on a steady progression through China’s national circuit. She claimed victory at the 2023 National Judo Points Series in Ar Horqin Banner and finished as runner-up at the Zhuhai Four Willows station the same year. In 2024, she earned a silver medal at the National Judo Championships.

The following year brought further success: Wu won gold at the 2025 National Judo Points Series and added another silver at the National Judo Championships. Most recently, she captured the national title in the -78kg division at the 2026 National Judo Championships before shifting focus to the Asian Championships.

China’s Broader Performance at the Championships

Even as Wu’s gold stood out as the nation’s first-place finish, China’s team collected additional medals across multiple disciplines. The squad’s two-gold, one-silver, six-bronze outcome reflected participation in every weight class for both men and women, highlighting the depth of China’s judo program.

The championships, held from April 16 to 19 in Ordos, served as a key preparatory event for athletes aiming to qualify for future international competitions, including the upcoming Asian Games and Olympic qualifiers.

Looking Ahead

With the Asian Championships concluded, Wu and her teammates will now turn their attention to domestic selection events and international invitational tournaments later in the year. No immediate next competition has been announced for the athlete as of this report.

For fans and followers of judo, the performance underscored the growing competitiveness of Chinese athletes on the continental stage and highlighted Wu Hongtao’s emergence as a consistent contender in one of the sport’s most challenging weight classes.

Stay tuned to Archysport for updates on Wu Hongtao’s upcoming events and continued coverage of global judo competitions.