Sabina Giliazova claimed the 48kg-class title at the Judo Grand Slam in Budapest, leading a strong opening day for competitors at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna. According to eJudo reports from the three-day international tournament held from September 11 to September 13, 2026, the opening sessions featured 520 athletes representing 70 countries across the globe, comprising 320 men and 200 women.
Opening Day Results and Podium Finishes in Budapest
The women’s 48kg division featured an entry list of 31 competitors. Sabina Giliazova secured the gold medal following a series of bouts, defeating fellow finalist Kristina Dudina, who took the silver medal. Tomoka Arakawa of Japan and Baasankhuu Bavuudorj of Mongolia captured the bronze medals, rounding out the podium spots on the first day of competition in Hungary.
According to tournament records detailed by eJudo, the fifth-place finishes in the 48kg category went to Amber Gersjes of the Netherlands and Maria Celia Laborde of the United States. Seventh place was shared by Konul Aliyeva of Azerbaijan and Merve Azak of Turkey.
First-Round Bouts and Technical Sequences
The preliminary rounds saw a series of quick submissions and tactical victories on the tatami in Budapest. In the opening matches, Patricia Tomankova of Slovakia defeated Victoria Sibille of Belgium via a Golden Score technique at 1 minute and 10 seconds. Konul Aliyeva advanced past Angola’s Maria Segunda with a combination technique at 2 minutes and 4 seconds. Umaima Bedioui of Tunisia secured a win over Zuzanna Wozniak of Poland using a horizontal four corners technique at 1 minute and 11 seconds.
Additional first-round results included Amber Gersjes defeating Mireia Rodriguez-Salvador of Spain by falling upper four corners at 2 minutes and 7 seconds, while Sila Ersin of Turkey earned a superiority victory over Fina-Pamedi Katendi-Nzdzi of France. Tara Babulfath of Sweden earned a falling upper four corners victory against Sevinch Murodova of Uzbekistan at 2 minutes and 26 seconds. Kristina Dudina claimed her opening victory against local competitor Kosegi Rebeka-Rita with a vertical four corners technique in 1 minute and 1 second.
Spain’s Eva Perez-Soler overcame Morgane Annis of France with a back throw at 2 minutes and 25 seconds. Baasankhuu Bavuudorj secured a superiority victory against Vera Zandel of the Netherlands. Japan’s Tomoka Arakawa defeated Lois Petit of Belgium by horizontal four corners at 3 minutes and 22 seconds, and Laura Bogdan of Romania defeated Nevena Milic of Serbia via valley drop at 1 minute and 54 seconds.
Sabina Giliazova advanced past Diana Burkayeva of Kazakhstan with an inner thigh throw at 1 minute and 51 seconds. Jacqueline Springer of Austria defeated Wiktoria Slaczok of Poland using a back hold technique at 2 minutes and 58 seconds. Clarice Ribeiro of Brazil secured a Golden Score victory against Summer Shaw of Great Britain at 2 minutes, and Merve Azak defeated Giulia Ghiglione of Italy with a sleeve catch hip throw at 3 minutes and 21 seconds.
Tournament Structure and Schedule
The Budapest Grand Slam continues through Sunday at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna, featuring weight classes for both men and women as athletes compete for international ranking points on the global judo circuit.
Keep reading
