She is probably the person who enjoyed her time the most in Budapest. It is also likely that she will continue to do so for many years, but the first time will always taste unbeatable.
Szofi Ozbas

The young lady already has an enviable record, she knows what it is to win, but first, the business card. Her name is Szofi Ozbas, she is 19 years old and she is Hungarian. At this point in her life, she has already won the gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games, she is junior world champion and three-time junior European champion. It is what is called a promising preface.

Grand Slam Hungary was her first tournament on the World Judo Tour. It's like walking into a nightclub for the first time and discovering that what's inside is better than we thought.

Ozbas arrived at the party and immediately caught attention by winning her first two contests. The third was the best moment for her because she lost, but not against just anyone; she was defeated by the current Olympic champion and ultimately the grand slam winner, Tina Trstenjak. It may seem contradictory, but it is not because champions are not built in one day. It is a long learning process and Ozbas is the best student of her generation.

Szofi Ozbas

After losing, she had a relaxed chat with Trstenjak, in which the champion explained the secret of her success, “You need a strategy and to stick to the plan, making decisions and implementing them.” These were the words of the Slovenian.

Ozbas highlighted how well she had been received by the veterans of the World Judo Tour, "I have felt very good because they have welcomed me with open arms and I have learned many things."

The young judoka is natural, with no qualms about confessing that she had a knot in her stomach before her first fight. "I was nervous, of course, but as soon as I stepped onto the mat I concentrated and was able to develop my judo."

Her first party in the most select disco ended with a bronze medal, a confrontation against the Olympic champion and some new friends.

Szofi Ozbas

Then, too, there is the detail of her belt, the only brown that shone like a beacon in the middle of a storm. She also has an answer for that. "I could have a black belt, but I just like the color brown."

Smart, talented and fun, remember her name, Szofi Ozbas, because a new star is forming in the judo galaxy.

See also
Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
First Points, First Statements on the Road to Los Angeles

21. Jun. 2026 / The final day of the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam 2026 brought ...

Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
+100 kg: Kim Overcomes the Giants to Claim His First Grand Slam Gold Medal

21. Jun. 2026 / The heavyweights always attract attention.

Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
+78 kg: Arai Rises as Dicko Falls in a Day of Surprises

21. Jun. 2026 / She had not travelled to Mongolia to leave without ...

Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
-100 kg: Pirelli Prevails in a Day Full of Surprises

21. Jun. 2026 / It was a difficult day for many of the favourites in ...

Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
-78 kg: Experience, Surprises and Gold for Lytvynenko

21. Jun. 2026 / Few could have predicted the final that would unfold ...

Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
-90 kg: Murao’s Masterclass Ends with a Ninth Grand Slam Gold Medal

21. Jun. 2026 / To say that Sanshiro Murao (JPN) was the favourite ...

Interview
Li Haiyang Chasing Olympic Dreams at Home

21. Jun. 2026 / For athlete Li Haiyang, competing on the international ...

Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
The Vision Behind the Journey

21. Jun. 2026 / As the Head Sport Director of the International Judo ...

Judo for Children
Judo Global Association Inaugurates a new Judo School

21. Jun. 2026 / On 14th June, the Judo Global Association of São Tomé ...

Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
Under the Eternal Blue Sky, Mongolia Celebrates Judo

20. Jun. 2026 / There are some places on the IJF World Judo Tour that ...

Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
-81 kg: Joonhwan Lee Ends a Perfect Day with a Spectacular Gold

20. Jun. 2026 / At just 22 years of age, Timur Arbuzov (RUS) is already ...

Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
-70 kg: Shiho Tanaka Confirms Her World Champion Status

20. Jun. 2026 / The -70 kg category was packed with quality, featuring ...

Ulaanbaatar GS 2026
-73 kg: Ankhzaya Lavjargal Gives Mongolia a Golden Moment

20. Jun. 2026 / The category delivered exactly the kind of surprises ...

INTERVIEW EXPRESS
Shishime Ai (JPN)

08. Jun. 2018 / The next reigning world champion to be invited to answer ...

News
5 Key Takeaways from judo’s first Tokyo 2020 qualifier

06. Jun. 2018 / Highlights from Hohhot Grand Prix 2018

VIDEO
Judo for the World in Iran

07. Jun. 2018 / In April 2018, the International Judo Federation and ...

Meeting
JUDO: A Beneficial Cause

07. Jun. 2018 / 'Society should believe in sport as a beneficial cause ...