Across both impairment classifications, J1 and J2, four men’s and three women’s categories were contested. The day brought success for some, disappointment for others, but above all demonstrated once again that judo is accessible to all, in full respect of the sport’s rules, principles and values.
J1 Men -70 kg
A total of 18 judoka were entered and it was Paralympic champion Florin Alexandru Bologa (ROU) who came out on top after a flawless run. Only his semi-final against Viktor Rudenko proved challenging, with Bologa edging it by a yuko. In the final, he faced Italy’s Dong Dong Camanni, a regular contender at the top level, but Bologa left him no chance, winning by ippon after just 1 minute and 15 seconds. The host nation secured its first bronze medal through Giorgi Gamjashvili (GEO), who was joined on the podium by Assylan Nurdauletov (KAZ).
- 1. BOLOGA, Florin Alexandru (ROU)
- 2. CAMANNI, Dong Dong (ITA)
- 3. GAMJASHVILI, Giorgi (GEO)
- 3. NURDAULETOV, Assylan (KAZ)
- 5. RODRIGUES, Armindo (FRA)
- 5. RUDENKO, Viktor (NPA)
- 7. AKBAROV, Ibrokhimjon (UZB)
- 7. MAGOMEDOV, Magomedzakir (NPA)
J1 Men -81 kg
The Georgian national anthem rang out in the Tbilisi Arena thanks to Saba Bagdavadze (GEO) who claimed gold by defeating Cyril Jonard (FRA). Jonard’s longevity is remarkable, Paralympic champion in Athens 2004 and a bronze medallist at Paris 2024, but despite his fighting spirit, he could not overcome Bagdavadze, who secured victory by ippon within the first minute. The bronze medals went to Danilo David Geronimo Silva (BRA) and Gokce Yavuz (TUR).
- 1. BAGDAVADZE, Saba (GEO)
- 2. JONARD, Cyril (FRA)
- 3. GERONIMO SILVA, Danilo David (BRA)
- 3. YAVUZ, Gokce (TUR)
- 5. ZHUZHGOV, Aleksandr (NPA)
- 5. ALY, Mahmoud (EGY)
- 7. LEE, Minwoo (KOR)
- 7. MAMEDOV, Shokhrukh (UZB)
J2 Men -70 kg
Central Asia dominated this category, with an all-regional final between Kazakhstan’s Ibragim Nurmakhanuly and Uzbekistan’s Kemran Nurillaev. Nurmakhanuly took gold with a waza-ari in a contest where each athlete also scored a yuko. Despite receiving two penalties under pressure, Nurmakhanuly held firm to secure victory. Georgia added another bronze medal to their tally with Zurab Zurabiani (GEO), while the second bronze went to Sergio Ibanez Banon (ESP).
- 1. NURMAKHANULY, Ibragim (KAZ)
- 2. NURILLAEV, Kemran (UZB)
- 3. ZURABIANI, Zurab (GEO)
- 3. IBANEZ BANON, Sergio (ESP)
- 5. KHORAVA, Davyd (UKR)
- 5. DA SILVA, Thiego (BRA)
- 7. CIFTCI, Recep (TUR)
- 7. BALCOU, Youn (FRA)
J2 Men -81 kg
Kazakhstan secured a second gold medal on this first day via Bexultan Kulmurza, confirming a strong overall performance. Italy’s Simone Cannizzaro claimed silver. Among the 12 competitors, two others stood out: Great Britain’s Evan Molloy and Georgia’s Levan Gugava. The latter added another medal to the host nation’s collection.
- 1. KULMURZA, Bexultan (KAZ)
- 2. CANNIZZARO, Simone (ITA)
- 3. MOLLOY, Evan (GBR)
- 3. GUGAVA, Levan (GEO)
- 5. BAREIKIS, Osvaldas (LTU)
- 5. SMAGULULY, Galymzhan (KAZ)
- 7. KIM, Donghoon (KOR)
- 7. IKROMOV, Shokhruz (UZB)
J1 Women -52 kg
South America and particularly Brazil was in the spotlight thanks to the victory of Rosicleide De Andrade (BRA). Following her bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, she continues to perform at the highest level. She defeated Bonu Babaeva (UZB) in the final. The Pan-American region was further represented on the podium by Priscilla Gagne (CAN), while Maria Manzanero Ruiz (ESP) secured bronze for Spain.
- 1. DE ANDRADE, Rosicleide (BRA)
- 2. BABAEVA, Bonu (UZB)
- 3. GAGNE, Priscilla (CAN)
- 3. MANZANERO RUIZ, Maria (ESP)
- 5. POTAPOVA, Victoria (NPA)
- 5. DAWOUD, Omnia (EGY)
- 7. ORTIZ CARREON, Jocelyn Atziri (MEX)
- 7. ELMALI, Havva (TUR)
J2 Women -52 kg
In the penultimate category of the day, France came out on top with Sandrine Aurières claiming gold. This result came as no surprise given her impressive record: five Paralympic medals, including one gold, and five world medals, three of them gold. She defeated Alesia Stepaniuk (NPA) by ippon in the final. The bronze medals went to Zeynep Bozdemir (TUR) and Kokila (IND).
- 1. AURIERES, Sandrine (FRA)
- 2. STEPANIUK, Alesia (NPA)
- 3. BOZDEMIR, Zeynep (TUR)
- 3. KOKILA (IND)
- 5. BRUSSIG, Carmen (SUI)
- 5. EKE, Cahide (TUR)
- 7.
- 7. ABSALIAMOVA, Adilia (NPA)
J2 Women -60 kg
In the final category of the day, Daria Stakanova (NPA) delivered a strong performance, defeating Germany’s Isabell Thal by ippon. As top seed, she lived up to expectations. The remaining podium places were secured by Dayana Fedossova (KAZ) and Kumushkhon Khodjaeva (UZB).
- 1. STAKANOVA, Daria (NPA)
- 2. THAL, Isabell (GER)
- 3. FEDOSSOVA, Dayana (KAZ)
- 3. KHODJAEVA, Kumushkhon (UZB)
- 5. ATASAYAR, Gulhan (TUR)
- 5. ARCE PAYNO, Marta (ESP)
- 7. YESILYURT, Dondu (TUR)
- 7. HUNG, Joan Hui Xin (SGP)
This opening day of the 2026 IBSA Judo World Cup in Tbilisi proved both exciting and dynamic, highlighting the remarkable abilities of all the athletes. Kazakhstan leads after day one with two gold medals but the competition remains wide open. The distribution of medals reflects the strength and diversity of Para judo, showcasing its global reach. The second and final day of competition will take place tomorrow in Tbilisi.
Photo © Local Organising Committee