Tbilisi, Georgia – Leonardo Valeriani of Italy has achieved a career milestone, securing the gold medal in the -73 kg category at the 2026 Tbilisi Grand Slam this past Saturday, March 21st. The victory marks the first Grand Slam gold for the 25-year-old athlete representing the Fiamme Gialle, and underscores a period of impressive form for Italian judo.
Valeriani’s Dominant Run in Tbilisi
The Tbilisi Grand Slam is a prestigious event on the IJF World Tour, attracting 386 judoka from 51 nations to compete at the Olympic Sports Palace. Valeriani navigated the competition flawlessly, demonstrating both technical skill and unwavering determination throughout his five matches. His path to gold was marked by a series of decisive ippon victories.
Valeriani’s journey began with a win by ippon against Germany’s Ruebo in the round of sixteen. He continued his momentum, overcoming Georgia’s Niniashvili with another ippon in the round of eight. The quarterfinal saw a clean ippon victory against Bulgaria’s Hristov, setting the stage for a semifinal clash against Spain’s Shuhalieiev, which Valeriani too won by ippon. The final saw Valeriani secure the gold with a lever to the elbow against Finland’s Olin.
This triumph builds upon Valeriani’s recent success, including a gold medal at the European Open in Conegliano in November 2025, signaling a consistent rise in his international standing. The athlete, originally from Parma, Italy, previously earned a bronze medal at the Tbilisi Grand Slam last year, making this year’s gold a significant step forward.
Tavano Secures Bronze for Italy
The success didn’t stop with Valeriani. Asya Tavano also contributed to Italy’s medal haul, earning a bronze medal in the +78 kg category. Tavano’s victory came after a convincing performance against Russia’s Mariia Ivanova, adding another highlight to Italy’s strong showing at the Tbilisi Grand Slam.
Valeriani’s victory is particularly noteworthy given the high level of competition at the Grand Slam. With 42 participants in the -73 kg weight class alone, the tournament showcased some of the world’s most talented judoka. The event drew athletes from four continents, further emphasizing its global significance.
“I am very satisfied with the race and the result, I managed to change the color of the medal from last year and I am proud of it,” Valeriani said, according to Fijlkam. “I want to thank all the staff of the Fiamme Gialle as a whole, from trainers to commanders, and I also want to thank my father who came to witness me here.”
The Grand Slam in Tbilisi is a key event in the IJF World Tour, serving as a crucial stepping stone for athletes aiming for Olympic qualification and world championship contention. Valeriani’s gold medal not only elevates his personal standing but also strengthens Italy’s position as a force in international judo.
For Valeriani, this victory represents a pivotal moment in his career, solidifying his place among the elite judoka in the -73 kg division. His performance in Tbilisi demonstrates his potential for continued success on the world stage.
Next up for Valeriani and the Italian judo team will be the European Championships in May, where they will look to build on the momentum gained in Tbilisi. The team will undoubtedly be aiming to replicate their success and further establish Italy as a leading nation in the sport.
