Italy Names 18-Athlete Squad for Baku World Judo Championships
Italy has finalized its 18-athlete squad for the 2026 World Judo Championships, set to take place from October 4 to 11 at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Full Roster Headed to Baku for Individual Events
The Italian Judo Federation (Fijlkam) has selected the maximum permitted quota of nine female and nine male judoka to compete in the individual categories at the upcoming world championships. Ilfaroonline.it reported that the squad arrives in Azerbaijan following a strong showing at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto in late August, where the national team captured eight podium finishes.
The women’s entry list features reigning world champion Assunta Scutto in the 48 kg division, alongside multi-medalist Odette Giuffrida at 52 kg, Giulia Carnà and Veronica Toniolo at 57 kg, Carlotta Avanzato at 63 kg, Irene Pedrotti and Giorgia Stangherlin at 70 kg, and Asya Tavano and Erica Simonetti in the over-78 kg category. Scutto enters the competition looking to defend the gold medal she secured last year at the world championships in Budapest.
On the men’s side, the squad comprises Andrea Carlino at 60 kg, Valerio Accogli and Elios Manzi at 66 kg, Giovanni Esposito and Leonardo Valeriani at 73 kg, Antonio Esposito and Manuel Parlati at 81 kg, Kenny Komi Bedel at 90 kg, and Gennaro Pirelli at 100 kg. Pirelli travels to Baku as the number-one ranked judoka in the world in his weight class, backed by a four-tournament win streak that includes victories at the Tbilisi European Championships, the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam, the Lima Grand Prix, and the Budapest Grand Slam.
Italy adds athletes for mixed team event
In addition to the 18 athletes slated for individual competition, Fijlkam announced that Michela Terranova (57 kg) and Kwadjo Anani (over-90 kg) will travel to Baku to complete the Italian roster for the mixed team event scheduled for the final day of the tournament. Ilfaroonline.it noted that the Italian mixed team previously claimed a historic bronze medal in this format at the 2024 World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
Competition across all eight days of the world championships will culminate in the final block for the medals, scheduled to begin daily at 4:00 PM Italian time. The eighth and final day will be dedicated entirely to the mixed team brackets.
Baku hosts 2026 World Judo Championships
Where are the 2026 World Judo Championships taking place?
The tournament is being hosted at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan, running from October 4 to 11, 2026.
How many athletes are representing Italy at the event?
Italy has entered 18 athletes into the individual competitions—nine women and nine men—with two additional judoka traveling to join the mixed team event.
What are the primary stakes of the Baku world championships?
Beyond world titles, the tournament awards vital points toward the official Olympic ranking lists for qualification heading into the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
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