Gennaro Pirelli Becomes World No. 1 in -100kg Judo Ranking

Pirelli Climbs to Summit of International Judo Rankings

Eighteen-Match Win Streak Fuels Momentum Into Baku

The milestone achievement follows a dominant stretch of competition for Pirelli, highlighted by a victory at the Grand Slam in Budapest.

According to reporting from Sportface and Zazoom, the Italian judoka enters the upcoming World Championships in Baku—scheduled for October 4 through October 11, 2026—carrying a 18-match winning streak and four consecutive tournament titles. That run establishes him as the top seed in his category as he prepares for the global tournament in Azerbaijan.

Italian Squad Makes Waves Across Multiple Weight Classes

Beyond Pirelli’s individual breakthrough, the broader Italian national judo squad recorded several notable upward movements in the latest International Judo Federation standings. In the men’s -73 kg division, Giovanni Esposito holds the tenth position, keeping him firmly in contention for a seeded spot at the upcoming World Championships. On the women’s side, Odette Giuffrida jumped to second place in the -52 kg category.

Roster Bolstered by Strong Top-Ten Placements

Additional top-ten presences bolster the Italian roster ahead of the Baku competitions. Asya Tavano ranks sixth in the +78 kg division, Alice Bellandi sits eighth in the -78 kg category despite limited tournament appearances, and Giorgia Stangherlin occupies the tenth spot in the -70 kg division. For Pirelli, however, the immediate focus centers on converting his number-one ranking into a world title when competition gets underway in Baku.

World Championships Await in Azerbaijan

The next major checkpoint for Pirelli and the Italian judo delegation will be the International Judo Federation World Championships, running from October 4 to October 11, 2026, in Baku, where the newly crowned world number one will lead the -100 kg bracket.