Georgian judoka Tato Grigalashvili secured his fourth career world title on Wednesday at the World Judo Championships in Baku, defeating Azerbaijan’s Zelim Tckaev in a grueling -81 kg final that stretched into six minutes of prolongation. The victory marks a significant return to the top of the podium for the 26-year-old, who arrived in Baku as the reigning Olympic silver medalist from Paris.
A Decisive Victory for Grigalashvili in Baku
The men’s -81 kg final became a test of endurance as Grigalashvili and Tckaev battled through a regulation period followed by six minutes of additional time. This victory follows his runner-up finish at last year’s world championships, a result he aimed to improve upon in Baku. The podium was rounded out by Omar Rajabli of Azerbaijan and Serbia’s Mihajlo Simin, who both took bronze medals.
Haruka Kaju Extends Dominance to 40 Wins
In the women’s -63 kg category, Japan’s Haruka Kaju successfully defended her world title, maintaining a perfect record that now spans more than two years. As reported by fr.euronews.com, Kaju utilized her signature ne-waza (groundwork) skills to neutralize Israeli challenger Kerem Primo in the final. By immobilizing Primo on the mat, Kaju secured the victory and extended her streak to 40 wins on the international circuit. This result marks the sixth title for the Japanese team at the current world championships, further cementing Kaju’s status as the division’s leader.
The Path to the Podium in Baku
The competition in Baku showed that international judo is changing as emerging talents challenge established veterans.
| Category | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women -63 kg | Haruka Kaju (JPN) | Kerem Primo (ISR) | Renata Zachova (CZE), Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo (MGL) |
| Men -81 kg | Tato Grigalashvili (GEO) | Zelim Tckaev (AZE) | Omar Rajabli (AZE), Mihajlo Simin (SRB) |
Grigalashvili Wins Fourth World Title
For Tato Grigalashvili, this fourth world title reinforces his legacy in the sport. The 26-year-old has now competed in six consecutive world championship finals, a run of consistency that few in modern judo have matched. His opponent, Zelim Tckaev, sought to upgrade his performance in front of a home crowd in Azerbaijan, but ultimately fell to the Georgian’s persistence in the extended final. For Haruka Kaju, the victory in Baku represents a continuation of a flawless tactical approach, as she remains undefeated on the international stage since her rise to prominence two years ago.
How Long Did the Final Last?
How long did the final between Grigalashvili and Tckaev last?
The men’s -81 kg final lasted for the entirety of the regulation time plus six minutes of prolongation, totaling a significant physical effort for both athletes.
What is the current status of Haruka Kaju’s winning streak?
With her gold medal win in Baku, the 26-year-old Japanese judoka has reached 40 victories on the international circuit, a streak that has remained unbroken for over two years.
Who presented the medals during the fourth day of competition?
According to fr.euronews.com, the medal ceremonies were officiated by notable figures including football legend Lothar Matthäus and the president of the Azerbaijani Judo Federation, Rashad Nabiyev.
