The 2026 Baku World Judo Championships bring elite international competition to Azerbaijan, featuring high-stakes clashes across multiple weight divisions as global contenders chase world titles. Scheduled from October 4 to October 11, 2026, at the competition venue in Baku, the tournament reaches its fifth day with marquee showdowns in the men’s 90kg and women’s 70kg categories, where defending champions and Olympic medalists headline the mats.
Men’s 90kg Division Showdown in Baku
The men’s 90kg division features a compelling rivalry between defending world champion Sanshiro Murao of JES Elevator and 2024 world champion Gouki Tajima of Park24. Murao enters the Baku tournament holding the 2024 Paris Olympic silver medal alongside his world title earned last year, displaying strong form with a victory at the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam in June. His tactical repertoire relies on deep-grip inside trips, outer reaps, and foot sweeps. Standing shorter than many divisional rivals, Tajima compensates with close-range throwing techniques including drop shoulder throws and sleeve-pickup sweeps, followed by precise ground wrestling.
International Contenders and Seeds in the 90kg Field
International challengers in the 90kg category include Georgia’s Lasha Bekauri, a two-time Olympic champion across Tokyo and Paris, and 2023 world champion Luka Maisuradze. Bekauri enters the Baku tournament unseeded due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him from recent competition. Additional threats in the bracket feature South Korea’s Kim Jong-hun, Uzbekistan’s Umar Bozorov, Serbia’s Nemanja Majdov, and Brazil’s Guilherme Schmidt, all carrying proven international records.
Women’s 70kg Title Defense for Shiho Tanaka
In the women’s 70kg division, reigning world champion Shiho Tanaka of JR Eastern Railway seeks a successful defense of her crown. Tanaka’s recent international results include a victory at the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam in June and a third-place finish at the Tbilisi Grand Slam in March, following a 2025 campaign that yielded titles at the Zagreb Grand Prix and Tokyo Grand Slam. Known for her physical strength and balance, Tanaka deploys powerful outer reaps and inside trips alongside timed drop seoi-nage throws against international opponents.
Global Challengers in the Women’s 70kg Bracket
Challengers standing in Tanaka’s path include Croatia’s Lara Cvjetko, whom Tanaka defeated in last year’s world championship final, Greece’s Elisavet Teltsidou following her September victory at the Hungary Grand Slam, and Russia’s Madina Taimazova, who placed third at the 2024 World Championships.
Baku World Judo Championships Continue Through October 11
The 2026 Baku World Judo Championships continue through October 11, 2026, with preliminary rounds and final blocks scheduled daily at the competition venue in Baku, Azerbaijan.
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