-73 kg: A Wide-Open Battle Awaits
Home favourite Shakhram Ahadov (UZB), crowned Asian champion in 2025, arrives as the top seed and a central figure in this category. Competing in front of his home crowd, he is expected to feed off the atmosphere and channel that energy into a serious bid for gold.
Danil Lavrentev (RUS), finalist at the Casablanca Open earlier this season, has rebuilt his competitive momentum and now looks ready to take another step forward in his pursuit of a podium finish.
The third seed, Jack Yonezuka (USA), also presents a strong case as a medal contender. With proven ability at this level, he could well position himself among the top three. With depth and quality spread throughout the draw, the -73 kg category promises high-level contests, and forecasting the final outcome remains particularly challenging.
-63 kg: Canadian Strength and World-Class Depth
Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard (CAN) is the benchmark in this division. A model of consistency at the highest level, she has proven time and again that she can defeat anyone on the circuit. With six grand slam titles and eleven podium finishes, she enters Tashkent as the athlete to beat.
Iva Oberan (CRO), fifth in Paris despite being top seed, will be eager to demonstrate that result was only a minor setback. Joanne Van Lieshout (NED), third in Paris and world champion in 2024, certainly has the credentials to climb higher. Yet the field does not stop there. Manon Deketer (FRA) and Angelika Szymanska (POL) have also their chances.
-81 kg: A Battle of Proven Winners
Much like the -63 kg category, the top seed is Canadian. François Gauthier-Drapeau (CAN) brings explosive, versatile judo and already owns two grand slam titles, won in Paris and Abu Dhabi in 2025. Tashkent could be the stage for his third.
Somon Makhmadbekov (TJK) could well disrupt the script, chasing his own third grand slam title. Let us not forget Vedat Albayrak, a four-time grand slam winner, whose experience and tactical sharpness make him a constant threat.
-70 kg: Ambition Meets Olympic Pedigree
Aoife Coughlan (AUS), Australia’s most successful female judoka nowadays, continues her pursuit of a first grand slam title after two previous final appearances. Already a double grand prix winner, she has the tools to go all the way.
Standing in her path is Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist Miriam Butkereit (GER), who also secured world bronze in 2025 at the world championships. A formidable opponent by any measure. Irene Pedrotti (ITA), just outside the medals in Paris, will seek her breakthrough grand slam podium, while teammate Giorgia Stangherlin, already a grand slam gold medallist, adds further Italian firepower. With several dark horses capable of causing upsets, this category promises intensity from start to finish.
Day two in Tashkent is shaping up to be electric. Established champions will defend their status, contenders will chase defining victories and the crowd will witness the next chapter in the ever-evolving story of the World Judo Tour on JudoTV.com and on all our platforms.