-48 kg: Hui Dominates on Her Way to the Final
Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ), the top seed, certainly expected a better day. Although she began well with a waza-ari victory against Maelys Dapa (BEL), everything became more complicated when she faced Xinran Hui (CHN). The Chinese judoka secured the victory by hold down in under thirty seconds, earning her place in the semi final against Sabina Giliazova (RUS).
Their contest was tense and finely balanced, even if Hui appeared to have the upper hand. In the end, it was during golden score that Hui produced a clean ippon with a seoi otoshi and a change in direction.
In the lower half of the draw, the battle was entirely Spanish, as Laura Martinez Abelenda (ESP) faced Eva Perez Soler (ESP) in the semi final. Laura Martinez Abelenda earned her ticket to meet Hui in the final.
Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ) had a final chance to save her day in the bronze medal contest against Eva Perez Soler (ESP). The second bronze medal contest featured Yua Mori (JPN) against Sabina Giliazova (RUS).
–60 kg: Surprises and Strong Statements
The day brought a mixture of surprises and confirmations, and among the confirmations was the commanding form of top seed Ayub Bliev (RUS). He advanced to the final without hesitation, securing confident victories over Tumenjargal Tuvshintur (MGL), Konstantin Simeonidis (UAE) and Ahmad Yusifov (AZE).
In the opposite half of the draw, Giorgi Sardalashvili (GEO) was hoping to draw inspiration from his triumphant performance in Abu Dhabi in 2024, where he claimed the coveted world title in this very arena. Everything unfolded according to plan until the semi final, when Ariunbold Enkhtaivan (MGL) had ideas of his own. With a superb ippon, he shattered Sardalashvili’s golden ambitions. The final was therefore set between Ayub Bliev (RUS) and Ariunbold Enkhtaivan (MGL).
The first bronze medal contest featured Jorre Verstraeten (BEL) against Giorgi Sardalashvili (GEO). The second bronze medal match brought together Salih Yildiz (TUR) and Ahmad Yusifov (AZE).
–52 kg: Pupp Breaks Stops the Favourite
From the very start of the day, the main question was who could possibly challenge Distria Krasniqi (KOS), whose recent performances had been overwhelmingly dominant. Nothing seemed capable of shaking the 2020 Olympic champion. Neither Karina Efimova (RUS) nor Gefen Primo (ISR) managed to trouble her, but Reka Pupp (HUN) did, and decisively so.
After four minutes of regular time without any score, Pupp succeeded in driving her opponent onto her side for a small yuko, but one that was more than enough to secure her place in the final. The Hungarian judoka celebrated with a clenched fist, as the semi final victory itself felt almost like a gold medal.
Her opponent in the final was not the most predictable one. Many expected to see the 2024 world champion Odette Giuffrida (ITA) emerging from the opposite half of the draw, yet it was Masha Ballhaus (GER) who imposed herself with authority and earned the right to fight for gold.
In the first bronze medal contest, Gefen Primo (ISR) faced Odette Giuffrida (ITA) for a place on the podium. For the second bronze medal, Naomi Van Krevel (NED) faced the tough challenge of meeting Distria Krasniqi (KOS).
-66 kg: A Day of Upsets and Rising Momentum
Ruslan Pashayev (AZE), the top seed, entered the day with high expectations, yet in a category packed with world class judoka he was eliminated as early as the second round. Adrian Nieto Chinarro (ESP) delivered a tactically sharp performance to defeat the Azeri favourite, opening the way for new contenders.
Taking full advantage of the opportunity, Elios Manzi (ITA) progressed to the semi final after he defeated Nieto Chinarro, where he faced world championships medallist Walide Khyar (FRA). The French judoka had displayed impressive control throughout the morning, navigating several physically demanding contests with authority.
In the lower half of the draw, Murad Chopanov (RUS) dominated. He claimed victory in all his contests, including a commanding semi final win over the second French representative in the category, Alexis Renard (FRA). This set up a highly anticipated final between Walide Khyar (FRA) and Murad Chopanov (RUS).
France had an additional chance to secure a medal through Alexis Renard (FRA), who faced Adrian Nieto Chinarro (ESP) in the first bronze medal contest. Spain also placed a second judoka in the final block, with David Garcia Torne (ESP) meeting Elios Manzi (ITA) in the battle for the remaining bronze medal.
-57 kg: Early Shocks and Rising Stars Shape the Final Block
It was the first category of the day to deliver its verdict as the final block matchups were revealed. Giulia Carna (ITA) made an immediate impact, eliminating top seed Seija Ballhaus (GER) with an unstoppable stranglehold in under one minute. Riding this early momentum, she surged into the final with further victories over Marta Garcia Martin (ESP) and Julie Beurskens (NED).
In the opposite half of the draw, the two in form athletes were Mimi Huh (KOR), the 2024 world champion, crowned precisely here in Abu Dhabi, and silver medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and Binta Ndiaye (SUI), one of the brightest talents of the next generation of Swiss champions. Their semi final was tightly contested, but in the end it was the experience of Huh that made the difference, sealing the win with a waza-ari. The final was therefore set between Giulia Carna (ITA) and Mimi Huh (KOR).
The first contest for bronze brought together Natalia Elkina (RUS) and Julie Beurskens (NED). The second bronze medal match saw Marta Garcia Martin (ESP) face Binta Ndiaye (SUI).
Thus day one delivered contest after contest of intensity, emotion and technical brilliance. With established champions rising to the occasion and new talents making their mark, the competition has already set a high standard for the days ahead. The atmosphere in the arena promises even more excitement as the athletes return to battle for the next set of medals.