Judo 2026 World Championships: Koga and Yusifov Strike Gold on Opening Day in Baku

Koga and Yusifov Open Baku 2026 World Championships With Gold Medals

Usagevpn.com – The Baku World Judo Championships 2026 began with two defining victories as Japan’s KOGA Wakana captured the women’s -48kg world title and Azerbaijan’s Ahmad YUSIFOV delighted the home supporters by winning the men’s -60kg competition.

The opening day in Azerbaijan’s capital brought the first red back patches of the championships into focus. For the athletes, a World Championships final represents not only a chance to win a medal, but also an opportunity to establish themselves at the top of international judo. Koga and Yusifov both met that challenge, though their routes to gold carried very different pressures.

Koga completes her medal collection at -48kg

Italy’s Assunta SCUTTO entered the women’s -48kg final with major experience on this stage. She had reached the World Championships final for a third successive time after producing impressive judo throughout the morning session. With one previous world title already on her record, Scutto was seeking to turn another final appearance into a second gold medal.

Across from her stood Koga, who had also built an accomplished World Championships record before arriving in Baku. The Japanese judoka already owned bronze and silver medals from previous editions, leaving gold as the one major world medal still absent from her collection.

Koga’s form during the day suggested she was ready for that final step. Her performances became increasingly assured as the competition progressed, and she entered the title bout carrying visible momentum. The final itself was far more measured than the earlier contests, with both athletes cautious about giving the other an opening.

For much of the contest, Scutto and Koga neutralised each other’s attacking opportunities. The balance changed when Koga found her chance in ne-waza, the ground phase of judo. Remaining composed in a high-pressure moment, she converted the opening decisively and ended the contest in emphatic fashion.

The result gave Koga the world title at -48kg and completed her progression from World Championships bronze and silver to gold. It was a significant breakthrough for the Japanese athlete, who emerged from the first day as the new champion in one of the event’s opening weight categories.

Mr Azer ALIYEV, Secretary General of the Azerbaijan National Olympic Committee, presented the medals after the final.

Yusifov turns home support into a historic triumph

The men’s -60kg competition produced an especially memorable result for the hosts. Ahmad Yusifov reached his first World Championships final in front of a Baku crowd fully invested in his pursuit of gold. Competing in his home nation gave the occasion an added intensity, with the prospect of a local champion creating a powerful atmosphere around the final.

Yusifov’s opponent, Kazakhstan’s Sherzod DAVLATOV, was also contesting his first World Championships final. Davlatov had looked composed and dangerous throughout the day, putting himself in position to make history for Kazakhstan and claim the title.

With two first-time World Championships finalists on the tatami, the bout carried the uncertainty and urgency of a rare career opportunity. Davlatov established an advantage, placing Yusifov behind on the scoreboard. The Azerbaijani judoka, however, responded when the stakes were at their greatest.

Yusifov recovered from the deficit to secure victory, prompting enormous celebrations from the home crowd. His comeback transformed the final into one of the standout moments of the championships’ opening day. For the local favourite, winning a first world title in Baku made the achievement particularly meaningful and ensured that Azerbaijan had an immediate reason to celebrate at its home World Championships.

Mr Timur KEMELL, an Executive Committee Member of the International Judo Federation, awarded the medals in the -60kg category.

A powerful start in the Land of Fire

Opening days at the World Championships can set the emotional tone for the entire tournament, and Baku’s first session delivered both a landmark individual success and a home-nation celebration. Koga’s victory confirmed the value of persistence after previous World Championships podium finishes, while Yusifov demonstrated the resilience required to overturn a score deficit in a final.

The two gold medals also reflected the breadth of the field in Baku. Italy, Japan, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan were all represented in the opening finals, underlining how quickly the competition became international in scope. Scutto’s third consecutive final appearance highlighted her consistency at -48kg, while Davlatov’s run to the -60kg final marked an important milestone in his own campaign despite falling short of gold.

With the first champions crowned, the Baku World Judo Championships 2026 will continue in the Azerbaijani capital. The opening day provided a reminder that a single decisive moment on the ground, or a determined comeback under intense pressure, can shape an entire championship story.