BAKU, February 17, 2025 - The last three days (14 February to 16 February) were particularly exciting, offering the large crowd at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan, a spectacle worthy of the greatest international sporting events. The Azerbaijan Judo Federation and all its partners can be proud of the work accomplished which has delivered another great success for this important event on the World Judo Tour calendar.
WORLD RANKING POINTS Everything was orchestrated perfectly, giving the athletes from the 36 participating countries the opportunity to give their best, allowing them to collect valuable points for the world ranking. The Olympic qualifications are still relatively far away, but positioning themselves at the top of the ranking will undoubtedly be a guarantee of success for the future champions.
TEAM JAPAN The Japanese team made no mistake. They sent a top-notch team to Baku, the results confirm it, with a first place in the nations' ranking. Azerbaijan, even though its two headliners, Hidayat Heydarov and Zelym Kotsoiev, both reigning world and Olympic champions, were not present on the tatami, was able to line up other judoka who were able to taste the world's top level. In this very high-level context, the medals won by the host country place them among the best nations in the tournament.
BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES As for the organisation, there is nothing to complain about. Azerbaijan knows how to do it and knows how to do it well. Everything was perfectly oiled. The memories of all the participants will certainly be excellent. The curtain has fallen on the Baku Grand Slam.
The minutes before the final block of this last day of competition in Baku saw young judoka come to the centre of the tatami for a lively and joyful judo session. The children are part of a programme for young people with cognitive difficulties. Judo is an incredible tool for helping and supporting children and integrating them into society. The Azerbaijan Judo Federation once again demonstrated its ability to integrate all audiences without any form of discrimination. The applause received by the children and the big smiles they displayed throughout the session are clear proof of the power of judo.
NEXT STOP: TASHKENT All eyes can now turn to Tashkent, where the next grand slam will take place. It will be from 28th February to 2nd March in the Uzbek capital, in another great judo country. Later, it will be the turn of Austria, Georgia, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan to host a stage of the World Judo Tour. Then it will be time to stop in Hungary, in Budapest, for the 2025 World Championships, a major event that you can follow like all the others on https://judotv.com/ and on social networks.
BAKU GRAND SLAM MEDALLISTS
Men -60 kg
1 NAGAYAMA Ryuju JPN
2 NAKAMURA Taiki JPN
3 VERSTRAETEN Jorre BEL
3 YUSIFOV Ahmad AZE
Women -48 kg
1 TSUNODA Natsumi JPN
2 BABULFATH Tara SWE
3 PEREZ SOLER Eva ESP
3 STOJADINOV Andrea SRB
Men -66 kg
1 TAKEOKA Takeshi JPN
2 TANAKA Ryoma JPN
3 CHERNYKH Ivan IJF
3 ASADOV Elshan AZE
Women -52 kg
1 ABE Uta JPN
2 BALLHAUS Mascha GER
3 HWANG Suryeon KOR
3 LEIVA SANCHEZ Ayumi ESP
Men -73 kg
1 ISHIHARA Tatsuki JPN
2 MAMMADALIYEV Rashid AZE
3 SHEROV Abubakr TJK
3 GALANDARZADE Vusal AZE
Women -57 kg
1 TAMAOKI Momo JPN
2 TAKANO Ayami JPN
3 PERISIC Marica SRB
3 BALLHAUS Seija GER
Men -81 kg
1 TCKAEV Zelim AZE
2 GAUTHIER DRAPEAU Francois CAN
3 SUKHOPAROV Egor IJF
3 GERBEKOV Askerbii BRN
Women -63 kg
1 KLIMKAIT Jessica CAN
2 AONO Minami JPN
3 KROPSKA Natalia POL
3 PIOVESANA Lubjana AUT
Men -90 kg
1 MURAO Sanshiro JPN
2 FRONCKOWIAK Marcelo BRA
3 DE WIT Frank NED
3 BEDEL Kenny Komi ITA
Women -70 kg
1 OZBAS Szofi HUN
2 MOSCALU Serafima ROU
3 TANAKA Shiho JPN
3 CVJETKO Lara CRO
Men -100 kg
1 ARAI Dota JPN
2 GONCALVES Leonardo BRA
3 MADZHIDOV Dzhakhongir TJK
3 BILALOV Niiaz IJF
Women -78 kg
1 OLEK Anna Monta GER
2 BOEHM Alina GER
3 TELTSIDOU Elisavet GRE
3 UMEKI Mami JPN
Men +100 kg
1 OTA Hyoga JPN
2 BASHAEV Tamerlan IJF
3 KAZHYBAYEV Yerassyl KAZ
3 NAKANO Kanta JPN
Women +78 kg
1 TAKAHASHI Ruri JPN
2 OZTURK Hilal TUR
3 KAMPS Marit NED
3 VUKOVIC Helena CRO
