Unexpected Results Rock Judo Grand Slam in Tashkent

The 2026 Judo Grand Slam in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, delivered a series of stunning upsets, culminating in a gold medal victory for China’s Xinran Hui in the -48 kg category. The tournament saw the early exits of several top contenders, reshaping the competitive landscape.

-48 kg Category Turns Upside Down

The -48 kg division was particularly volatile. The standout moment of the day was the early elimination of Shrine Boukli (FRA), a recent gold medalist in Paris and both a world and Olympic medalist.

Mizuki Harada (JPN) orchestrated Boukli’s defeat, scoring a yuko with an uchi-mata makikomi and a waza-ari from a tomoe-nage. Harada continued her momentum, reaching the grand slam final for the first time in her career.

Reigning world champion Assunta Scutto (ITA) similarly faced an unexpected early exit, falling to Laziza Haydarova (UZB). Haydarova’s spirited performance ultimately ended in a semi-final loss to Xinran Hui (CHN).

Hui Secures Gold in a Tightly Contested Final

The final pitted Harada against Hui, an unexpected matchup in a category defined by its surprises. The contest was closely balanced until the final minute, when Hui gained a decisive advantage. She then controlled the closing exchanges to secure the victory. Built on sharp action–reaction exchanges, shifting from forward to backward pressure, the contest remained finely balanced deep into the final minute.

Hui’s victory marks a significant achievement, earning her the first gold medal of the 2026 grand slam edition.

Other Notable Results

• Maria Celia Laborde (USA) and Laziza Haydarova (UZB) competed in the bronze medal contest.
• Hifumi Abe (JPN) delivered a fabulous ippon in the -66kg category.
• Kokoro Fujishiro (JPN) won in the -52kg category.
• Shukurjon Aminova (UZB) achieved a victory for the host country.
• Ahmad Yusifov won in -60kg.

Japan Dominates Medal Count

Japan finished the day with two gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals, demonstrating their strength in the competition.

FAQ

• Who won the gold medal in the -48 kg category? Xinran Hui (CHN)
• Who was the reigning world champion eliminated early? Assunta Scutto (ITA)
• Which country had the most medals overall? Japan