-48 kg: A Clash of World-Class Contenders
World number one Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ) arrives in Tashkent determined to secure her first grand slam title. After finishing runner-up at the 2025 World Championships and taking bronze in Abu Dhabi late last year, she will be eager to climb to the top step of the podium.
The road will not be easy for Abuzhakynova. Shirine Boukli (FRA) comes in full of confidence after a brilliant victory in Paris just weeks ago. Reigning world champion Assunta Scutto (ITA), Abuzhakynova’s opponent in last year’s Budapest final, will also be in the mix. Add Paris bronze medallist Xinran Hui (CHN), Guadalajara Grand Prix winner Maria Cella Laborde (USA) and the returning Olympic and world medallist Tara Babulfath (SWE), and the category promises fireworks from the opening rounds.
-60 kg: A Title Within Reach
Michel Augusto (BRA) continues his quest for a first grand slam gold. A finalist from previous meeting in Tbilisi, he will see Tashkent as a genuine opportunity. However, Paris Grand Slam champion Balabay Aghayev (AZE) has already shown that he is the man to beat in 2026.
Asian champion and Tokyo Grand Slam finalist Taiki Nakamura (JPN) will aim to disrupt the hierarchy, bringing Japanese precision and tactical sharpness to the tatami. Behind this leading trio the field is open and several contenders will be ready to seize their moment.
-52 kg: Experience Meets Consistency
Since early 2025, Mascha Ballhaus (GER) has been a model of consistency, finishing on the podium regularly. It is no surprise that she enters Tashkent as the top seed. After taking bronze in Paris, she will look to go one step further in Uzbekistan.
At 31, 2024 world champion and double Olympic medallist Odette Giuffrida (ITA) remains a formidable presence and could well make this Olympic cycle her own. Japan’s Kokoro Fujishiro, already a four-time grand slam medallist, is another strong contender. In a category of depth, ranking points and podium places will be contested fiercely.
-66 kg: The Return Everyone Is Waiting For
Tajikistan arrives in force, with world silver medallist Nurali Emomali and world bronze medallist Obid Dzhebov occupying the top two seeding positions. Both have proven their ability to deliver on the biggest stage.
Yet much of the spotlight will fall on the return of double Olympic champion Hifumi Abe (JPN). He closed 2025 with gold at home and remains one of the most dominant figures in the category. Remarkably, aside from his bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships, his last defeat on the World Judo Tour dates back to 2019. Can he reaffirm his authority in Tashkent? The answer will be one of the key storylines of the day.
-57 kg: An Historic Champion Leads the Field
The women’s -57 kg category will be equally compelling. Georgia’s Eteri Liparteliani, the first female world champion in her country’s history, enters as the number one seed and a clear reference point in the draw.
France’s Faiza Mokdar, third in Paris earlier this month, will aim to add a third grand slam title to her résumé. Croatia’s Ana Viktorija Puljiz, twice a grand slam finalist, continues her search for a first gold medal at this level. Behind them, opportunities abound in a division where momentum can shift rapidly.
Day one in Tashkent promises intensity, ambition and world-class judo. Follow all the action live on JudoTV as the World Judo Tour continues its journey in Uzbekistan.