Women’s -48 kg: Rising Stars Ready to Shine
Top seed Sabina Giliazova (RUS) leads the field. Third in Ulaanbaatar last year, she already has two grand slam gold medals to her name, both won in 2024; she will be aiming for a third title.
Just behind her in the world ranking, Eva Pérez Soler (ESP) comes into the event following a recent final appearance in Upper Austria and will be hoping to secure her first gold medal at this level. Another athlete to watch closely is Sweden’s Tara Babulfath. A world and Olympic medallist, she is still only twenty years old and has a very bright future ahead of her.
Finally, Mary Dee Vargas Ley (CHI) may come from further down the rankings but could well surprise everyone. Already a three-time grand prix medallist, with one medal of each colour, she is now chasing her first grand slam podium.
Men’s -60 kg: A Division Wide Open
World number one Michel Augusto (BRA) continues his tour. Unplaced in Paris and seventh in Tashkent, he will be determined to reach the podium this time in Georgia.
However, rankings can be deceptive in such an open category. Second seed Jorre Verstraeten (BEL) knows what it takes to win at this level, having claimed grand slam gold in 2021 and 2022, in Antalya and Hungary respectively. He remains a constant threat.
Emiel Jaring (NED), Izhak Ashpiz (ISR), Magzhan Shamshadin (KAZ) and Salih Yildiz (TUR) are all ranked in the world top 20 and could well produce a breakthrough performance.
Women’s -52 kg: Experience Leading the Charge
At 29, Reka Pupp (HUN) is now one of the most experienced athletes on the circuit. With three Olympic appearances, including two fifth-place finishes, eight participations at the world championships and fourteen grand slam medals, including three titles, she arrives in Tbilisi as a serious podium contender.
Gefen Primo (ISR) also has three grand slam gold medals to her name and knows exactly how to deliver at this level. Sofia Asvesta (CYP), meanwhile, is still searching for her first grand slam podium. Could this be her breakthrough moment?
Men’s -66 kg: Serious Ambitions
In 2024, Luukas Saha (FIN) claimed bronze at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi and secured his first grand slam medal later that year in Kazakhstan. As top seed in Tbilisi, he will be aiming to go even further.
David García Torne (ESP), winner of the Kazakhstan Grand Slam in 2023 and a recent medallist at the Upper Austria Grand Prix, has proven his consistency at the highest level and will be firmly in the mix.
Willian Lima (BRA), silver medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, will also be one to watch. Despite his impressive achievements, he is still chasing his first grand slam gold medal.
Women’s -57 kg: Depth, Talent and Momentum
A bronze medallist at the 2025 World Championships and a triple medallist on the World Judo Tour that same year, Shirlen Nascimento (BRA) arrives as top seed and a strong favourite.
Ana Viktorija Puljiz (CRO) and Marica Perišić (SRB) look set to be her main challengers. Recently Puljiz reached the podium in Tashkent, while Perišić won the Zagreb Grand Prix last year.
Timna Nelson-Levy (ISR) will also be in contention, alongside France’s rising talent Martha Fawaz, who finished third in Austria just weeks ago.
The stage is set and the die is cast. Which athletes will seize their moment? We will find out, from Friday 20th March, with the preliminary rounds beginning at 10:00. Stay connected across all our platforms and on JudoTV.com for more action, more insight and more highlights.