Japan Finalizes National Judo Roster for 2026 World Championships in Baku

The All Japan Judo Federation (AJJF) has officially completed its selection process for the individual event representatives heading to the World Judo Championships this October in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following a high-stakes selection tournament in Fukuoka, the federation’s strengthening committee met on April 5 to lock in a squad that blends seasoned Olympic champions with emerging talent.

The final pieces of the puzzle fell into place at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center, where the 2026 All Japan Selected Judo Championships served as the ultimate litmus test for Japan’s elite. For the athletes, the weekend was more than a quest for a national title. it was a fight for a plane ticket to Azerbaijan.

The Road Through Fukuoka

The All Japan Selected Judo Championships, held from April 4 to April 5, featured the top eight athletes in each weight category. The tournament was structured to ensure the most battle-hardened competitors earned their spots. The first day saw intense action in the men’s 60kg, 66kg, 73kg, and 81kg divisions, alongside the women’s 48kg, 52kg, and 57kg categories. The second day concluded with the heavier weights, including the men’s 90kg, 100kg, and 100kg+ divisions, and the women’s 63kg, 70kg, 78kg, and 78kg+ categories.

For global judo fans, these selection events are often as competitive as the World Championships themselves, given Japan’s immense depth in nearly every weight class. The pressure in Fukuoka was palpable, as a single mistake could mean missing out on the premier global event of the year.

Men’s Squad: Veterans and New Faces

The men’s roster is headlined by Ryuki Nagayama (Park24) in the 60kg category, who enters the Baku championships eyeing a second consecutive world title. Nagayama’s consistency makes him a cornerstone of the team’s gold-medal ambitions.

Although the veterans provide stability, the AJJF is similarly betting on new blood. Ryuga Tanaka (Tsukuba University) in the 73kg class and Kanta Nakano (Asahi Kasei) in the 100kg+ division have both earned their first-ever selections for the individual world event. Their inclusion signals a strategic shift toward integrating youth who have shown peak form during the domestic circuit.

The full men’s representative list includes:

• 60kg: Ryuki Nagayama (Park24)
• 66kg: Takeshi Takeoka, Hifumi Abe (both Park24)
• 73kg: Ryuga Tanaka (Tsukuba University)
• 81kg: Yuhei Oino (Asahi Kasei)
• 90kg: Sanshiro Murao (JES Elevator), Goki Tajima (Park24)
• 100kg: Michihiro Arai (Tokai University)
• 100kg+: Kanta Nakano (Asahi Kasei)

Women’s Squad: Olympic Pedigree

The women’s team continues to be anchored by Akira Sone (Park24), the 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, who will compete in the 78kg+ category. Sone remains one of the most formidable forces in women’s judo globally.

Joining her is Mao Arai (ALSOK), who finished second last year and is looking to climb the podium in Baku. The 57kg category will observe a dual presence with the inclusion of first-time representative Akari Omori (JR East) and last year’s runner-up Momo Tamaki (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance).

The complete women’s roster is as follows:

• 48kg: Wakana Koga (JR East)
• 52kg: Uta Abe (Park24)
• 57kg: Akari Omori (JR East), Momo Tamaki (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance)
• 63kg: Haruka Kage (V-Technology)
• 70kg: Shiho Tanaka (JR East)
• 78kg: Beni Ikeda (Komatsu)
• 78kg+: Mao Arai (ALSOK), Akira Sone (Park24)

Coaching Philosophy: The Pursuit of Gold

The leadership for the Japanese contingent is clear: nothing less than the top step of the podium is the goal. Keiji Suzuki, the head coach for the men’s team, expressed total confidence in the selected group, stating, “I believe everyone is aiming for a gold medal.”

On the women’s side, Coach Maki Tsukada emphasized the importance of preparation and tactical precision. “I want to analyze with the staff to realize the goal of gold medals,” Tsukada noted, highlighting the data-driven approach Japan employs to dismantle international opponents.

Note for readers: In international judo, “individual event representatives” refers to the specific athletes chosen to compete in their weight class for the gold medal, as opposed to team-based competitions.

Looking Ahead to Baku

With the roster finalized, the focus now shifts from domestic selection to international preparation. The World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, scheduled for October, will be the definitive test for this squad. Japan enters the tournament as a perennial powerhouse, and the mix of Olympic gold medalists like Akira Sone and first-timers like Ryuga Tanaka creates an interesting dynamic for the team’s chemistry.

The AJJF’s decision to include multiple representatives in certain categories—such as the men’s 66kg and 90kg, and the women’s 57kg and 78kg+—provides the coaching staff with flexibility and ensures that the strongest possible form is maintained leading up to the event.

For more official updates on the Japanese national team, fans can follow the All Japan Judo Federation or track the latest tournament news via the Olympic news portal.

The next major milestone for the team will be their final training camps and international tune-up events before departing for Azerbaijan in October.

Do you think Japan can sweep the gold medals in Baku? Let us understand your predictions in the comments below.