From early morning, the Unidad Deportiva Lopez Mateos buzzed with excitement. Familiar faces and new challengers alike delivered powerful performances, from sharp ne-waza transitions to explosive throws. Each category revealed its share of surprises and confirmations, as favourites fought to assert their dominance and outsiders chased breakthrough results. With a mix of experience, ambition and local passion, the stage was set for an intense first day of competition in Mexico.
–48 kg: Laborde and Perez Soler Reach the Final
The semi-final line-up in the –48 kg category was a perfect reflection of the world ranking list, with the four top favourites of the tournament all making it through to the last four. In the top half of the draw, Maria Celia Laborde (USA) faced Tamar Malca (ISR), while in the bottom half, the in-form judoka Mary Dee Vargas Ley (CHI) met Eva Perez Soler (ESP). It is worth noting that all four athletes reached this stage by winning their previous contests with positive scores, clearly demonstrating their superiority over the rest of the field.
This time, however, fortune did not favour Vargas Ley. After scoring the first yuko, she lost her advantage when she was countered by Perez Soler for waza-ari. The Chilean would have to refocus and aim for a bronze medal, already an impressive result following her silver in China and gold last week in Lima.
The last bout of the preliminary phase saw Maria Celia Laborde (USA) take on Tamar Malca (ISR) and it was the American who secured her place in the final after a technical and controlled victory over Malca.
–60 kg: Augusto and Aghayev Advance to the Final
After being the top seed last week in Lima but finishing just off the podium, Michel Augusto (BRA) was eager to turn things around in Guadalajara. Once again positioned at the top of the draw, he showed from the opening rounds that he meant business, advancing steadily to the semi-finals. There, he faced Enzo Jean (FRA), who had caused an upset earlier by defeating top seed Jonathan Charon (CUB) in the quarter-final. This time, however, the outcome was different. Augusto controlled the contest and secured victory by pinning Jean for ippon, earning his place in the final.
In pool C, top favourite Balabay Aghayev (AZE) lived up to expectations, winning both of his opening contests by ippon. He was joined in the semi-finals by Jorre Verstraeten (BEL), the leader of pool D, but it was Aghayev who took the upper hand, ultimately, to move into the final against Augusto.
–52 kg: Leiva Sanchez and Pereira Reach the Final
Spain’s Ayumi Leiva Sanchez started her day in confident form, defeating Kenya Perna (ITA) in her opening contest to secure a place in the semi-final. Her performance was marked by sharp movement and solid control, confirming her status as the tournament’s top seed.
Following a similar path, Evelyn Beaton (CAN) overcame Paulina Martinez (MEX) to advance to the semi-finals as well. The Canadian judoka showed patience and precision, keeping her opponent under constant pressure. In the semi-final, Leiva Sanchez continued her strong form and maintained her unbeaten run to secure a place in the day’s final.
After her disappointment in Lima, where she finished unranked, Gefen Primo (ISR) arrived in Guadalajara determined to show that her result in Peru was only a temporary setback. In the quarter-finals, she defeated Nicole Marques (BRA) confidently to progress to the next round, where she faced another Brazilian, Jessica Pereira, who had eliminated Léa Metrot (FRA) earlier. However, this time, it was one Brazilian too many, Pereira proved the stronger of the two, defeating Primo to claim her own spot in the final.
–66 kg: Saha and Pashayev Set Up the Final
With three grand slam medals, one grand prix medal and, most notably, a silver at the World Judo Masters 2022, Daikii Bouba (FRA) was a serious contender in Guadalajara, entering the competition as the top seed. Everything went smoothly for the French judoka up to the semi-final stage. There, he faced Luukas Saha (FIN), a world bronze medallist, and things became much more complicated.
During golden score, after a fluid transition from standing to groundwork and back, Saha managed to throw Bouba and earn the decisive yuko, securing his place in the grand prix final.
The other finalist of the day was Ruslan Pashayev (AZE), who, with this performance, guaranteed himself a better result than last week in Lima, where he finished in third place.
–57 kg: French Power Dominates the –57 kg Category
The preliminary rounds in the –57 kg category were fast-paced and spectacular, offering plenty of excitement for the crowd at the Unidad Deportiva Lopez Mateos. At the top of the draw, Shirlen Nascimento (BRA) won her qualification contest for the semi-final against Marta Garcia Martin (ESP). Not among the top favourites of the day, France’s Ophélie Vellozzi, bronze medallist at the Paris Grand Slam earlier this year, joined her after two strong victories, first against Misheel Nataly Aguilar Ortega (MEX), then Hili Zakroisky (ISR).
In the lower half of the draw, Timna Nelson Levy (ISR) was hoping to put the disappointment of last week behind her but she fell in her opening contest to Adriana Rodriguez Salvador (ESP), who produced a spectacular ura-nage for ippon. Rodriguez Salvador was then defeated in the next round by Acelya Toprak (GBR) after a well-managed contest.
One of the morning’s most anticipated bouts saw Jessica Lima (BRA) take on Amandine Buchard (FRA) in the first round. The contest remained evenly balanced for a long time until Buchard finally managed to launch her trademark kata-guruma for ippon. Lima and her coach could only look frustrated, both knew the danger the French judoka represented perfectly well. The same technique worked again in the next round, where Buchard defeated Renata Ortiz (MEX), confirming her excellent form.
At the end of the preliminaries, there was a sense of déjà vu; just like in Lima last week, an all-French final began to take shape. Buchard was the familiar name, but this time she was joined by her teammate Ophélie Vellozzi.
The opening session of the Guadalajara Grand Prix lived up to expectations and paved the way for an exciting first final block of the event. Tune in to JudoTV to stay on top of all developments in Mexico.