The first quarter of the 2025 judo season has concluded, and after four Grand Slams and one Grand Prix, Japan leads the standings—though not necessarily with the athletes one might expect. So far, Japan has claimed 20 of the 70 gold medals available on the IJF World Tour, securing nearly 30% of the titles. In terms of overall medal count, Japanese athletes have earned 18% of the 270 medals awarded this season—51 in total, with 20 won by men and 31 by women. Of Japan’s gold medals, 13 were claimed by female judokas and seven by their male counterparts.
However, the sport’s biggest stars and Olympic champions have largely remained absent, with the exception of Uta Abe and Natsumi Tsunoda, who secured victories in their first 2025 appearances outside Japan at the Grand Slam in Baku. The February Baku Grand Slam featured several strong competitors, including Nagayama, Murao, Umeki, and Tamaoki. Meanwhile, World Champions Goki Tajima and Ryoma Tanaka earned medals in Paris and Baku but have yet to deliver standout performances.
The biggest event on the IJF calendar remains the World Championships in Budapest—marking the third time in eight years that the Hungarian capital will host the prestigious tournament.
Thrilling Start to the 2025 IJF World Tour
The 2025 IJF World Tour has delivered a series of electrifying judo competitions, with Grand Slam events taking place in Paris, Baku, Tashkent, and Tbilisi, alongside the highly anticipated Grand Prix Upper Austria in Linz. These tournaments have showcased the balance of power in international judo, with dominant performances from traditional strongholds such as Japan and France, as well as Russian athletes now competing under the International Judo Federation (IJF) flag. Additionally, Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Canada have impressed during this pre-season, while emerging talents have made a strong impact in this post-Olympic year.
France and Japan Shine at Grand Slam Paris
The season kicked off with the Grand Slam in Paris, always a highlight on the judo calendar. French fans were treated to spectacular performances from their homegrown athletes, but Japan once again demonstrated why it remains the benchmark in world judo.
Romain Valadier Picard thrilled the Parisian crowd with a dominant display in the -60kg category, clinching gold in a hard-fought final. Meanwhile, Martha Fawaz delivered a breakout performance, securing gold, while Léa Fontaine seamlessly stepped into Romane Dicko’s place, capturing gold in the +78kg division.
Japan also made its presence felt, but with a fresh lineup of talent rather than the usual frontrunners. Haruka Kaju, Mitsuki Kondo, and Kisumi Omori showcased their championship pedigree, proving Japan’s depth in talent remains unmatched.
Russia’s Next Generation Shines Under IJF Flag
Following Paris, the tour moved to Baku, where Azerbaijan’s athletes looked to capitalize on home advantage. Local fans were not disappointed as Zelim Tckaev triumphed in the -81kg category, while Rashid Mammadaliyev secured silver in the fiercely contested -73kg division. The host nation added three more bronze medals, marking a strong overall performance.
Despite Azerbaijan’s success, Japan once again dominated, claiming an astonishing ten gold medals and reaffirming its supremacy in the sport. Meanwhile, Germany also had a promising showing, securing a gold and two silver medals.
Next, the tour arrived in Tashkent, where Uzbekistan’s judo program continued to bear fruit. The standout moment came in the -90kg category, with Shakhzodxuja Sharipov winning Uzbekistan’s first gold of the event, sending the home crowd into celebration. The nation’s heavyweights also impressed, further solidifying Uzbekistan’s growing reputation on the international stage.
However, it was the “Russian” judokas who truly excelled, maintaining their country’s strong presence with six gold medals. A new generation of Russian athletes emerged, with Matvey Kanikovskiy standing out. Having missed the Olympics, he has continued his rise and now looks like a major contender in the -100kg category ahead of the World Championships in Budapest.
Shavdatuashvili Ignites Tbilisi
The fourth Grand Slam of the season took place in Tbilisi, where Georgia’s legendary judo culture was on full display. Led by the ever-dominant Lasha Shavdatuashvili, the Georgian team delivered a masterclass in skill and strength. Shavdatuashvili captured gold in the -73kg category, further cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greats.
Eteri Liparteliani also shone, winning gold in the -57kg category, as Georgia’s female judokas continue to progress in an increasingly competitive international field. Women’s judo is developing rapidly, and this season has seen gold medals from countries that were previously less dominant in the women’s game, including China, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Slovenia, and Portugal.
As expected, France once again proved its depth in Tbilisi, excelling across multiple weight divisions. Their women’s team, in particular, stood out, with Amandine Buchard and Romane Dicko both capturing gold medals.
