Georgian middleweight Tato Grigalashvili secured his fourth world title while Japanese judoka Haruka Kaju extended her unbeaten run to 40 contests on day four of the World Judo Championships in Baku. The fourth day of competition at the World Judo Championships brought high-stakes drama to the middleweight categories, where established champions defended their dominance against determined local and international challengers.
Kaju Extends Unbeaten Streak to 40 Contests in Baku
In the women’s -63 kg division, reigning world champion Haruka Kaju entered Baku with a pristine record, having never lost a contest on the World Judo Tour. Kaju won her preliminary rounds with confidence to reach the final, where she faced Israel's Kerem Primo. Primo was contesting not only her first World Championship final but her maiden World Judo Tour final.
Kaju relied on her trademark groundwork to seize control of the bout. Once the action transitioned to ne-waza, the Japanese judoka proved implacable, clinching victory and extending her remarkable undefeated streak to 40 contests. Football legend Lothar Matthäus awarded the medals.
Grigalashvili Claims Fourth Global Crown in Golden Score Thriller
The men’s -81 kg final delivered an equally compelling clash between Georgia’s Tato Grigalashvili and local favorite Zelim Tckaev of Azerbaijan. Grigalashvili, a triple world champion, aimed to reclaim the red backpatch and secure a fourth global crown after settling for silver at the previous year’s championships. Tckaev, backed by an electric home crowd, sought to convert his prior year’s bronze medal into a historic world gold on home soil.
The bout stretched into golden score following a grueling battle of tactical grip-fighting and relentless attacks. A decisive wazari, verified through video review by the refereeing table, broke the deadlock and delivered the victory to Grigalashvili. Azerbaijan Judo Federation President Rashad Nabiyev awarded the medals.
Tournament Outlook After Day Four
With day four concluded in the Azerbaijani capital, the tournament maintains its heavy favorites at the summit while preliminary rounds and subsequent weight classes continue to unfold across the global calendar.
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