Opening Bouts Shape Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Openers
Competitors stepped onto the tatami in the United Arab Emirates as the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2026 opened on October 29, launching three days of international judo competition at the capital venue. Azerbaijan and France immediately established a strong presence across the opening lightweight divisions, securing top podium positions during the first block of preliminary and final matches.
Here is the roster USA will have in Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. #IJFWorldTour | #GSAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/FTlSU2a2CC
In the women’s -48kg category, Konul Aliyeva of Azerbaijan captured the gold medal by defeating Turkey’s Merve Azak in the final. Marina Vorobeva, competing under a neutral designation, and Turkey’s Sila Erserin secured the bronze medals, rounding out a fiercely contested podium that also featured fifth-place finishes for Mélanie Legoux Clement of France, representing Sporting Marnaval, and Portugal’s Catarina Costa.
French Contenders and European Rivals Claim Lightweight Medals
France secured a notable victory in the women’s -57kg division as Martha Fawaz, fighting for US Orléans LJJ, claimed the gold medal. Fawaz defeated Brazil’s Shirlen Nascimento in the final match. Meanwhile, the -52kg division concluded with Croatia’s Tihea Topalovec taking the top spot on the podium after overcoming Amandine Buchard of France, who competes for Sporting Marnaval and settled for the silver medal.
Bronze medals in the -57kg category went to Mimi Huh of South Korea and Ana Viktorija Puljiz of Croatia. In the -52kg weight class, Israel’s Gefen Primo and Hungary’s Roza Gyertyas earned the bronze honors, highlighting a diverse international medal table during the opening session of the tournament.
Azerbaijani and Neutral Athletes Dominate Opening Men’s Categories
Balabay Aghayev delivered a gold medal for Azerbaijan in the men’s -60kg division, defeating Tajikistan’s Loiq Kudbudinov in the final match. The -60kg bronze medals were awarded to Talgat Orynbassar of Kazakhstan and Kamoliddin Bakhtiyarov of Uzbekistan, while Olympic champion Yeldos Smetov of Kazakhstan finished fifth alongside Israel’s Izhak Ashpipz.
In the men’s -66kg category, Sukhrob Boqiev of Bahrain claimed the gold medal with a victory over Iago Abuladze, competing as a neutral athlete. Rashad Yelkiyev of Azerbaijan and Iskandar Mahmadkhojazoda of Tajikistan claimed the respective bronze medals as competition concluded for the opening day of the tournament.
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