German Rivalry Reignites as Japan Claims 10 Golds in Baku
Azerbaijan saw the final day of the 2025 Baku Grand Slam, where yet more crowd poured into the National Gymnastics Arena.
The stars were here, ready to perform for an expectant audience full of some incredibly excited judo fans.
There was a chance for some aspiring judoka from The Adaptive Judo for Children Project to take to a grand slam tatami. A celebration of judo’s true universality and inclusion for all.
Olympic silver medallist MURAO Sanshiro took on Marcelo FRONCKOWIAK in the -90kg final.
MURAO seized his opportunity, catching the Brazilian for a score, and immediately pinning him to get the win.
IJF President, Mr Marius VIZER, awarded him the gold medal.
Anna Monta OLEK took on her German rival Alina Boehm in the final at -78kg.
With the two locked in a tight battle, an instinctive foot sweep in golden score saw OLEK clinch victory.
Harvest Group CEO, Mr Almaz ALSENOV, awarded the medals.
ARAI Dota stunned his opponent Leonardo GONCALVES after only 7 seconds in the -100kg final, with an incredibly well timed footsweep
It came in just the first exchange of the fight earning ARAI a first grand slam gold medal
IJF Medical Commission Member, Dr Zsolt SZÖVÉRFI, was on hand to award the medals
At +78’s Ruri TAKAHASHI battled it out with Hilal OZTURK in the final.
Another good transition from a throw into groundwork saw Japan clinch yet another gold medal, a first ever Grand Slam gold for Takahashi.
Mr Mehmet YILMAZ, Turkish Judo Federation Vice President, presented the medals.
At +100 kg, Japan’s Ota Hyoga overcame the brilliant Tamerlan Bashaev after a close and lengthy contest.
Countering Bashaev for a decisive score, these 2 judo giants showed a typical sign of respect, ending this tournament in true judo fashion.
Russian Judo Federation President, Mr Sergey SOLOVEYCHIK, gave the medals.
What a spectacle this has been for the next generation of judoka here in the land of fire, a mainstay on the IJF World Judo Tour.
Thank you Azerbaijan.