2026 World Judo Championships in Baku: Schedule and Italy Roster

Baku Prepares for the 70th Anniversary World Championships

The capital of Azerbaijan takes center stage for international judo as athletes converge on the tatami to compete for world titles and vital ranking points. These championships carry added weight as competitors build toward qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The tournament format features individual competition across men’s and women’s divisions, concluding with the mixed team event.

Italy Names 18-Member Squad Led by World Champions and Veterans

The Italian delegation travels to Baku with an 18-athlete roster split evenly between nine women and nine men. Defending champion Assunta Scutto spearheads the women’s team as she returns to the mat to defend the -48kg world crown she captured last year. The squad also features veteran Odette Giuffrida in the -52kg division, whose decorated career includes an Olympic silver medal from Rio 2016 and a bronze from Tokyo 2020. On the men’s side, Gennaro Pirelli anchors the Italian lineup as the current number-one ranked judoka in the -100kg category.

Olympic Qualification Stakes on the Road to Los Angeles 2028

Beyond the gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded in Baku, competitors are fighting for crucial positioning on the international ranking lists. Every match on the tatami impacts qualification pathways for the upcoming Olympic cycle. Governing body standings and seeding positions shift directly based on performance at this week-long world championship meeting.

Weight Division Events Run from October 4 to 11

Action across the seven men’s and seven women’s weight divisions runs daily from October 4 through October 10, with the mixed team championship closing out the tournament on October 11.

More on this story: World Judo Championships 2026 in Baku: Schedule, Italian Team, and TV Coverage · Gennaro Pirelli reaches number one in men's -100kg judo rankings