In the –48 kg category, Laura Martinez Abelenda (ESP) captured the first gold medal of the day after a sharp and disciplined final, overcoming China’s Xinran Hui. Bronze medals went to Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ), who rebounded strongly from an early upset, and Japan’s Yua Mori, who claimed her first-ever World Tour podium.
In the –60 kg category, Ayub Bliev (RUS) reasserted his dominance by securing his third grand slam title, controlling the final against Ariunbold Enkhtaivan (MGL) from start to finish. Giorgi Sardalashvili (GEO) and Salih Yildiz (TUR) claimed the bronze medals, both scoring late or in golden score to secure hard-fought victories.
The –52 kg final saw a breakthrough for Mascha Ballhaus (GER), who secured the third and perhaps most significant grand slam gold of her career with superb transition into groundwork to defeat Reka Pupp (HUN). Odette Giuffrida (ITA) and Distria Krasniqi (KOS) completed the podium with authoritative bronze-medal performances.
The –66 kg final brought another triumph for France as Walide Khyar edged out Murad Chopanov (RUS) in an intense golden-score battle, sealing the win with a decisive yoko-guruma. Elios Manzi (ITA) and Adrian Nieto Chinarro (ESP) completed the podium, the latter celebrating his first medal on the World Judo Tour.
Drama unfolded in the –57 kg division, where Mimi Huh (KOR) once again thrived on Abu Dhabi tatami, defeating Giulia Carna (ITA) in golden score with an unbreakable hold-down. The bronze medals went to Spain’s Marta Garcia Martin, her first grand dlam podium, and Julie Beurskens (NED), who delivered an intelligent, tactical display.
Across all categories, the day was marked by technical mastery, late reversals and athletes stepping into the international spotlight confidently, a powerful reminder of the depth and dynamism currently driving world judo.