Wu Hongtao of Shanxi Province secured China’s first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Judo Championships with a dramatic last-second victory in the women’s 78kg category. The event concluded on April 19 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, where the Chinese team earned a total of two gold, one silver, and six bronze medals across all 14 weight classes.
Competing in her second Asian Championships appearance, Wu advanced to the final by defeating opponents from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in regular time during the quarterfinals and semifinals on April 18. In the gold medal match, she faced Elizabeth Litvinenko of the United Arab Emirates, who entered the bout ranked 12th in the world.
The final began poorly for Wu, as she fell behind by three effective points. With only 28 seconds remaining in regulation, she executed a decisive “waza-ari” hold-down to reverse the outcome and claim victory. The technique, recognized under International Judo Federation rules as a near-full point score, allowed her to win despite earlier deficits.
After the match, Wu credited the crowd’s support for boosting her resolve and recalled her coach’s advice to remain calm under pressure. “The cheers from the stands gave me strength,” she said, according to post-competition remarks reported by Shanxi Daily. “I remembered not to rush and to stay composed, so I went all out in the finish.”
This gold medal marks a significant milestone in Wu’s career progression. She previously earned a bronze medal at her first Asian Championships appearance, losing in the semifinals to a Japanese competitor. Her recent domestic results include winning the national points series in 2023 at the Alukeerqin Station, taking runner-up at the Zhaoqing Hui站, claiming silver at the 2024 National Judo Championships, and capturing both gold in the 2025 national points series and silver at the national championships that same year. Earlier in 2026, she won the national championship title in the women’s 78kg division.
The 2026 Asian Judo Championships featured 18 Chinese athletes competing in every weight class. Ordos, located in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, hosted the continental competition for the second consecutive year, drawing participants from across Asia to the Ordos Sports Center.
Looking ahead, Wu is expected to continue her preparation for upcoming international events, including potential qualification tournaments for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. No official announcement has been made regarding her next competition as of this report.
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