Budapest Judo Grand Slam Draws Athletes from 67 Nations

The mats at Budapest's Papp Laszlo Arena came alive this week as judo athletes from 67 nations gathered for the Hungary Grand Slam 2026. The first day of competition delivered thrilling matches and inspiring victories that reminded spectators why this martial art captivates millions worldwide.

In the women's 48kg division, Sabina Giliazova showcased technical mastery to defeat Kristina Dudina in golden score overtime. The extra period pushed both athletes to their limits, with Giliazova ultimately securing gold through precision and skill.

Perhaps the most remarkable performance came from 18-year-old Izhak Ashpiz in the men's 60kg category. Fighting in his third consecutive Grand Slam medal match, the young Israeli perfectly timed an ura-nage throw to claim his second Grand Slam gold.

Spain's Ayumi Leiva Sanchez captured her first Grand Slam title in the women's 52kg final. After receiving her medal, she reflected on one of her favorite parts of competition: meeting young fans and signing their belongings, which she says takes her back to her own childhood.

Bulgaria's Boyan Yotov dominated the men's 66kg division with unstoppable momentum. He secured gold with a beautiful ippon throw after already scoring waza-ari, showing the kind of complete performance that defines championship judo.

Why This Inspires

Yotov's victory held special meaning for him. Last year at the world championships, he felt incredible energy from the crowd but couldn't perform his best. This time in Budapest, everything clicked, creating what he called "a really special feeling."

The tournament also crowned Japan's Haruka Funakubo, the 2023 world silver medalist, as champion in the women's 57kg category. Her clean yuko score followed by dominant groundwork demonstrated the technical excellence Japanese judo is known for worldwide.

Hungarian fans packed the arena throughout the day, creating an electric atmosphere that lifted every competitor. Their enthusiasm set the perfect stage for day two of competition, proving once again that judo brings people together across borders and cultures.