The host nation enjoyed an outstanding day, collecting two gold medals alongside several additional podium finishes. Elsewhere, reigning Paralympic and world champions reminded everyone why they remain among the sport's leading figures, while a number of surprise performances demonstrated just how competitive international Para judo has become.
From hard-fought golden score battles to spectacular ippon and breakthrough victories, the first seven categories provided an excellent showcase of the technical quality, determination and resilience that define Para judo at the highest level.
J1 Men -70 kg: Bologa Begins the New Paralympic Cycle in Familiar Fashion
Some champions have a remarkable ability to rise to the occasion whenever the stakes are highest. Florin Alexandru Bologa (ROU) has made a habit of doing exactly that. The reigning Paralympic champion arrived in São Paulo wearing the coveted gold backpatch earned through his triumph at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. It is a symbol reserved for the world's very best and once again the Romanian proved to be fully deserving of the distinction.
Standing opposite him in the final was Dong Dong Camanni (ITA), who matched Bologa in an evenly contested opening exchange. Neither athlete was prepared to overcommit, each knowing that a single mistake could decide the outcome. Bologa remained patient, waiting for the right moment rather than forcing the action. When the opportunity finally appeared, he seized it with the accuracy of a true champion. A perfectly timed kata-guruma earned a first waza-ari, before the Romanian transitioned into osaekomi. There was no escape. The hold was maintained until ippon was scored, bringing another international title to one of Para judo's most accomplished competitors.
The bronze medals were claimed by Eduardo Gauto (ARG) and Brazil's Deyverson De Souza. The latter delighted the home crowd by securing the host nation's first medal of the competition.
Results
- 1. Florin Alexandru BOLOGA (ROU)
- 2. Dong Dong CAMANNI (ITA)
- 3. Eduardo GAUTO (ARG)
- 3. Deyverson DE SOUZA (BRA)
- 5. Assylan NURDAULETOV (KAZ)
- 5. Djibrilo IAFA (POR)
- 7. Elielton DE OLIVEIRA (BRA)
- 7. Abdelkader BOUAMER (ALG)
J1 Women -52 kg: De Andrade Delivers Gold for the Home Crowd
The second final of the opening day offered Brazil its first opportunity to strike gold and Rosicleide De Andrade (BRA) did not disappoint. The reigning world champion stepped onto the tatami wearing the prestigious red backpatch, a distinction that can sometimes bring added pressure. De Andrade, however, looked completely unfazed. Facing Kazakhstan's Alfiya Tlekkabyl in a tightly contested final, she remained patient as both athletes searched for an opening.
For much of the contest, neither judoka was able to gain a decisive advantage. Then De Andrade began to impose her trademark low shoulder attacks, threatening from close to the tatami repeatedly until she finally found the breakthrough. One perfectly timed attack brought the needed ippon and sent her supporters into a celebration.
The bronze medals were won by Priscilla Gagne (CAN), who capped an excellent day with a place on the podium, and Maria Manzanero Ruiz (ESP).
Results
- 1. Rosicleide DE ANDRADE (BRA)
- 2. Alfiya TLEKKABYL (KAZ)
- 3. Priscilla GAGNE (CAN)
- 3. Maria MANZANERO RUIZ (ESP)
- 5. Omnia DAWOUD (EGY)
- 5. Bonu BABAEVA (UZB)
- 7. Novia LARASSATI (INA)
- 7. Jenny Andrea OROZCO ESCARRAGA (COL)
J1 Men -81 kg: Geronimo Silva Brings the Home Crowd Joy Again
Brazil did not have to wait long to celebrate a second gold medal. Danilo David Geronimo Silva (BRA) ensured the host nation enjoyed another unforgettable moment after prevailing in one of the most hard-fought finals of the day. Shokhrukh Mamedov (UZB) pushed the Brazilian all the way.
Neither athlete was able to break the deadlock during normal time, forcing the contest into golden score. Even then, the two judoka continued to cancel each other out until, after two additional minutes, Geronimo Silva found the decisive opening. Timing his attack to perfection, he slipped underneath his opponent and executed a sutemi-waza that brought the winning score and another gold medal to Brazil. The victory sparked fresh celebrations inside the Brazil Paralympic Center as the home team claimed its second title of the day.
Among the bronze medallists was one of Para judo's true legends. Cyril Jonard (FRA) first became Paralympic champion in Athens in 2004, adding a silver medal in Beijing four years later and returning to the podium with bronze at Paris 2024. More than two decades after reaching the summit of his sport, the Frenchman once again stood among the medallists, a remarkable testament to his longevity and an enduring passion for competition. Mahmoud Aly (EGY) claimed the second bronze medal.
Results
- 1. Danilo David GERONIMO SILVA (BRA)
- 2. Shokhrukh MAMEDOV (UZB)
- 3. Cyril D. JONARD (FRA)
- 3. Mahmoud ALY (EGY)
- 5. Minwoo LEE (KOR)
- 5. Rafli Ahnaf SHIDQI (INA)
- 7. Alejandro KUNKEL (ARG)
- 7. Yuji KATO (JPN)
J2 Women -52 kg: Ulanbek Capitalises on an Open Draw
The women's J2 -52 kg category took an unexpected turn when top seed Kokila (IND) was eliminated before the final. Although the Indian judoka recovered well to secure a bronze medal, her early exit opened the door for the rest of the field. Second seed Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy (KGZ) seized the opportunity with both hands. Producing a confident performance through the day, the Kyrgyz judoka progressed to the final where she faced Colombia's Eslendy Catalina D. Lamadrid Penuela, the athlete responsible for eliminating Kokila.
Having already exceeded expectations by reaching the gold medal contest, Lamadrid Penuela could be proud of an outstanding tournament, even if she had to settle for silver ultimately. Ulanbek Kyzy proved too strong in the final, securing the title and areas first grand prix gold of the new Paralympic cycle.
Ayumi Ishii (JPN) joined Kokila on the third step of the podium after another solid performance.
Results
- 1. Aibike ULANBEK KYZY (KGZ)
- 2. Eslendy Catalina D. LAMADRID PENUELA (COL)
- 3. Ayumi ISHII (JPN)
- 3. KOKILA (IND)
- 5. Maria del Rosario MORENO GARCIA (MEX)
- 5. Giovana RODRIGUES (BRA)
J2 Men -70 kg: Nurmakhanuly Makes His Mark
Kemran Nurillaev (UZB) produced a flawless run to the final, justifying his status as reigning world champion and the wearer of the coveted red backpatch. Yet, when the gold medal contest began, none of that seemed to matter to Ibragim Nurmakhanuly (KAZ).
The Kazakh attacked with confidence from the opening exchange and took control of the contest fast. His decisive hip technique left Nurillaev with no answer. It scored ippon and earned a convincing victory that crowned Nurmakhanuly the first grand prix champion of the new Paralympic cycle in the category.
Behind the two finalists, Sergio Ibanez Banon (ESP) and Sherzod Namozov (UZB) completed the podium after they delivered strong performances throughout the day.
Results
- 1. Ibragim NURMAKHANULY (KAZ)
- 2. Kemran NURILLAEV (UZB)
- 3. Sergio IBANEZ BANON (ESP)
- 3. Sherzod NAMOZOV (UZB)
- 5. Thiego DA SILVA (BRA)
- 5. Tetsuya SAKURAI (JPN)
- 7. Youn BALCOU (FRA)
- 7. Min Jae LEE (KOR)
J2 Women -60 kg: Khodjaeva Produces the Surprise of the Day
The final women's category of the opening day delivered arguably the biggest upset of the tournament. Kumushkhon Khodjaeva (UZB), seeded only seventh, produced a remarkable performance to capture the gold medal, defeating reigning Paralympic champion Junko Hirose (JPN) along the way.
The final remained finely balanced for much of the contest. Both judoka searched patiently for an opening but their attacks carried them to the edge of the contest area repeatedly, without producing a score. As the tension continued to build, it was Khodjaeva who finally broke the deadlock. The Uzbek judoka and Russian launched a perfectly timed de-ashi-harai that caught Hirose at exactly the right moment, scoring a decisive ippon and sealing the biggest victory of her career. Considering her seeding at the beginning of the day, it was an outstanding achievement and one of the standout performances of the competition.
The bronze medals went to Lucia Araujo (BRA), adding another podium finish to an excellent day for the host nation, and Marta Arce Payno (ESP).
Results
- 1. Kumushkhon KHODJAEVA (UZB)
- 2. Junko HIROSE (JPN)
- 3. Lucia ARAUJO (BRA)
- 3. Marta ARCE PAYNO (ESP)
- 5. Laura Candela GONZALEZ (ARG)
- 5. Estefania Antonia MARTINEZ TELLO (CHI)
J2 Men -81 kg: Kulmurza Takes Gold
The final contest of the opening day, unfortunately, didn’t take place. Dmytro Solovey (UKR) was unable to take to the tatami, meaning the gold medal was awarded to Bexultan Kulmurza (KAZ).
Although the spectators were denied the opportunity to witness the category's concluding contest, it should not overshadow the performances both finalists produced during the preliminary rounds. Each had earned their place in the final through a series of convincing victories.
The bronze medals went to Donghoon Kim (KOR) and Evan Molloy (GBR), who each came through their respective contests in convincing fashion to complete the podium.
Results
- 1. Bexultan KULMURZA (KAZ)
- 2. Dmytro SOLOVEY (UKR)
- 3. Donghoon KIM (KOR)
- 3. Evan MOLLOY (GBR)
- 5. Galymzhan SMAGULULY (KAZ)
- 5. Simone CANNIZZARO (ITA)
- 7. Anderson DA SILVA (BRA)
- 7. Denis ROSA (BRA)