-90 kg: Brazil Leads the Field
Brazil arrives in Linz with a strong presence in this category. Rafael Macedo and Marcelo Fronckowiak hold the top two seeding positions. Macedo claimed victory at the Lima Grand Prix in 2025, while Fronckowiak finished as runner up at the Guadalajara Grand Prix the same year.
Their main challenger could be Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou, Olympic bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Games. The French athlete is still searching for his first grand prix medal despite already standing on the podium three times at grand slam events. From the fourth seed onwards the world ranking drops beyond the top twenty five, suggesting that the competition may be particularly open and unpredictable.
-78 kg: Reid Aims for a Breakthrough
Emma Reid enters the tournament as top seed. Currently ranked fifth in the world, the British judoka will look to collect valuable ranking points as the Olympic qualification period approaches in June. Reid has already secured four grand prix medals during her career but has yet to claim a gold. Linz could offer that opportunity.
She will face strong opposition. Metka Lobnik (SLO) arrives with momentum after winning in Lima and finishing third in Guadalajara last season. Meanwhile Marie Branser, finalist in Zagreb in 2025, will aim to represent Africa strongly in this highly competitive field.
-100 kg: A Battle of Major Names
The -100 kg category promises high level action. Anton Savytskiy, a finalist in Paris earlier this season, arrives as the number one seed and will hope to confirm his excellent form.
However, Ilia Sulamanidze (GEO) will certainly be among the most dangerous contenders. The Georgian Olympic silver medallist from Paris 2024 comes to Linz with a clear objective: gold. Hungary’s Zsombor Veg will also chase a third grand prix medal, while Jorge Fonseca, an Olympic medallist and double world champion, remains one of the most spectacular athletes in the category, capable of producing ippon judo at any moment.
+78 kg: Hershko Returns as Favourite
Raz Hershko was unable to compete in Tashkent but returns in Linz as the top seed and clear favourite in the heavyweight category. The Israeli judoka possesses the experience and power required to dominate this division.
Her closest challenger may come from within her own team as Yuli Alma Mishiner lines up as another serious contender. Beyond these two leading athletes, the category appears wide open, leaving room for potential surprises and breakthrough performances.
+100 kg: Tushishvili Leads the Heavyweights
Few athletes in world judo have the record of Guram Tushishvili. Olympic silver medallist in Tokyo in 2021, world champion in 2018 and twice a winner of the World Judo Masters, the Georgian heavyweight has already collected five grand slam titles and four grand prix victories. Linz could offer him the chance to add another trophy to his remarkable career.
Ushangi Kokauri will attempt to challenge that dominance while Jur Spijkers (NED) and Martti Puumalainen (FIN) both possess the strength and experience to upset the hierarchy. In a category where power can change everything in an instant, nothing can be taken for granted.
With Olympic medallists, world champions and ambitious rising stars all in action, the final day of the Upper Austria Grand Prix promises intensity and spectacular judo. Fans can follow every moment live across all platforms and on JudoTV.com.