The final day of the 2025 Baku Grand Slam was electrifying, showcasing outstanding judo performances that captivated audiences. Japan’s judoka, including Murao Sanshiro, Arai Dota, Ruri Takahashi, and Ota Hyoga, collectively secured an impressive total of 10 gold medals, reaffirming their dominance in the sport.
The event, hosted at the National Gymnastics Arena in Azerbaijan, attracted a large crowd of enthusiastic judo fans eager to witness top-tier competition. A heartwarming moment was provided by young judoka participating in The Adaptive Judo for Children Project, highlighting the sport’s commitment to inclusion and diversity.
Highlights from the finals
In the -90kg final, Olympic silver medallist Murao Sanshiro faced off against Brazil’s Marcelo Fronckowiak. Seizing the opportunity, Murao executed a score followed by a pin, securing his victory and receiving the gold medal from IJF President, Mr. Marius Vizer.
Meanwhile, in the fiercely contested -78kg category, Anna Monta Olek battled her German rival, Alina Boehm. After a tightly fought contest, Olek managed to perform an instinctive foot sweep during the golden score, leading to her triumph and the medal presentation by Mr. Almaz Alsenov, CEO of Harvest Group.
In the -100kg final, Arai Dota made headlines by stunning his opponent, Leonardo Goncalves, within just 7 seconds of the match with a perfectly timed footsweep, marking a memorable first Grand Slam gold medal for him.
More remarkable performances
Ruri Takahashi also made history in the +78kg final by facing Hilal Ozturk. With a smooth transition from a throw into groundwork, Takahashi clinched her first-ever Grand Slam gold medal, a significant achievement celebrated by Mr. Mehmet Yilmaz, Vice President of the Turkish Judo Federation.
In the +100kg category, Japan’s Ota Hyoga went head-to-head with Tamerlan Bashaev in a gripping contest. Demonstrating respect typical of the sport, the two judo giants displayed their skills, with Ota countering for a decisive score to emerge victorious.
This tournament showcased not only the future of judo but also solidified Azerbaijan’s status as a vital location on the IJF World Judo Tour. The event concluded with a resounding celebration of talent and sportsmanship.
“Thank you, Azerbaijan,”
praised the participants, recognizing the warm hospitality of their host nation.