Ariane Toro Soler addressed media members on October 9, 2026, at the Casa del Deporte inside the Navarra Arena in Pamplona, reflecting on her silver-medal finish in the women’s -52 kg category at the World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, as reported by the Federación Navarra de Judo y Deportes Asociados.
Pamplona Press Conference Follows World Silver in Baku
The Navarra judoka appeared at the Pamplona venue following her performance at the absolute world championships on October 5, 2026. Organised alongside the Fundación Miguel Indurain Fundazioa, the press briefing allowed the athlete to discuss her bouts on the international tatami and her immediate athletic trajectory.
Path Through the World Championship Bracket
Toro Soler advanced through four separate elimination rounds to reach the -52 kg gold-medal match, according to the Fundación Miguel Indurain Fundazioa. Her run included victories over Bulgaria’s Gabriela Dimitrova, Uzbekistan’s Sugdiyona Rafkatova, and Mongolia’s Uranzaya Bayanmunkh. In the semi-finals, she defeated Italy’s Odette Giuffrida by ippon, a performance explicitly singled out by the International Judo Federation.
The Final Bout Against Uta Abe
In the final combat for the world title, the Spanish competitor faced Japan’s Uta Abe, an Olympic champion and a dominant historical figure in the weight class. While the final did not yield the gold medal, the silver represents the best result of Toro Soler’s career at a senior world championship and ranks among the top achievements for Spanish judo on the global stage. The podium finish follows earlier 2026 international honors, including a bronze at the European Championships, a silver at the Paris Grand Slam, and a bronze at the Lausanne Grand Slam.
Preparation for the Japan Judo Master
During Friday’s media session in Pamplona, the silver medalist turned her focus toward the remainder of her competitive calendar. She confirmed that her next major objective will be the Japan Judo Master tournament scheduled for December 2026.
Keep reading
