UAE Wins First Judo World Champion in Historic Upset

When Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko stepped onto the mat in Baku, Azerbaijan, she carried the hopes of an entire nation on her shoulders. Minutes later, the world number two had done something no Emirati judoka had ever achieved.

Lytvynenko dominated France's Kaila Issoufi in the -78kg final at the World Judo Championships, scoring early with a powerful o-uchi-gari throw. She quickly added a second score to seal the match and etch her name in UAE sports history.

"Amazing, I don't have words, I want to cry, because I'm very happy," Lytvynenko said after her victory. Her tears were understandable as she stood on the podium with her country's first-ever judo world championship gold medal around her neck.

In the -100kg category, Georgia's Ilia Sulamanidze finally broke through after years of close calls. The powerful judoka had previously won bronze at the World Championships, but 2026 would be different.

Sulamanidze brought unstoppable momentum to the final against Japan's Dota Arai, who had also been chasing gold after earning silver in 2025 and bronze in 2024. The Georgian's decisive yuko score crowned him world champion and earned him the coveted red backpatch worn by titleholders.

His reaction perfectly captured the joy of the moment: "I know one word for this... Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious moment."

Why This Inspires

Both champions represent something bigger than individual achievement. Lytvynenko's gold opens doors for aspiring judoka across the UAE and the broader Middle East, proving that world-class excellence knows no borders. Sulamanidze's victory reminds us that persistence pays off, transforming years of bronze and near-misses into the ultimate prize through dedication and belief.

These victories in Baku show how sports unite us across cultures and continents, creating heroes who inspire the next generation to dream bigger.