The Neapolitan judoka secured five consecutive victories on the tatami in the Hungarian capital, capping off a remarkable run of form ahead of the upcoming world championships.
The triumph in Budapest marks Pirelli’s fourth tournament victory, following prior gold-medal finishes at the European Championships, the Grand Slam in Ulan Bator, and the Grand Prix in Lima. Competing for the Fiamme Oro sports group, the Italian athlete has steadily established himself as a dominant global force in the division as the international circuit enters the qualification window for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Baku World Championships Approach With Top Seeding
With his ascent to the summit of the -100 kg division, Pirelli will travel to Baku, Azerbaijan, in less than a month to compete in the 2026 World Judo Championships. Official tournament projections place him as the number one seed in the main draw, positioning him among the primary favorites for the podium.
Speaking to sports media outlets after securing the gold medal, the newly crowned world number one noted that he was not competing at 100 percent fitness during the tournament, yet still managed to execute his tactical game plan effectively.
“I am very happy with this competition, and I wasn’t even at 100 percent,” Pirelli stated in post-tournament remarks. Looking ahead to the global showcase, he added: “I dream of winning gold at the Worlds, but I am thinking one step at a time.”
A Milestone for Italian Judo on the World Tour
Pirelli’s consistent surge highlights a significant upward trajectory for Italian judo on the international stage. His victory in Budapest serves as the latest milestone in a streak that has transformed him from a competitive contender into the benchmark of his weight class. The 11th stop of the World Judo Tour provided a clear indication of his tactical maturity, out-maneuvering an international field across five high-intensity bouts.
