Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2026: Olympic & World Medalists Converge

The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2026 is set to commence on 29 October 2026, bringing together 402 athletes from 60 countries. As of 22 October 2026, 22 of these judoka rank within the active top 100 on our Elo rating system, promising a high level of competition across all weight categories. With entries still subject to change and the draw yet to be made, the anticipation builds for this significant event on the international judo calendar.

Men's Categories

-60 kg: This category sees 29 entrants, with four athletes in our active top 100. Leading the charge is Balabay Aghayev of Azerbaijan, ranked #65 on our Elo. Born in 1999, Aghayev, who favors Osaekomi-waza, has accumulated an impressive six Grand Slam gold medals, one silver, and three bronze, alongside a continental championships silver and a World Masters bronze from 2022. He is coached by Farhad MAMMADOV. Aghayev also secured a silver medal at the 2024 European Judo Championships and a gold at the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games. Kazakhstan's Yeldos Smetov, our #86, is a reigning Olympic champion from 2024, having also earned Olympic silver in 2016 and bronze in 2021. Smetov, born in 1993, is known for his Uchi-mata and is coached by Mr.JILGILDIYEV Galymzhan. He also holds a 2015 World Championships gold. France's Romain Valadier Picard, our #95, is the reigning World Championships silver medalist from 2025. Born in 2003, Valadier Picard employs Sumi-Otoshi from a right-handed stance and has one Grand Slam gold medal.

-66 kg: With 33 athletes entered, this category features France's Walide Khyar as the highest-rated entrant at #93 on our Elo. Khyar, born in 1996, utilizes Uchi-mata from a right-handed stance and is coached by LE BLOUCH. His senior medal haul includes a 2023 World Championships bronze, a 2022 World Masters bronze, one Grand Slam gold, two silver, and five bronze medals, in addition to a continental championships gold. Iago Abuladze of Russia, our #149, is a 2021 World Champion and has one Grand Slam gold, two silver, and four bronze medals. Ruslan Pashayev of Azerbaijan, our #173, has one Grand Slam gold and two bronze medals.

-73 kg: The largest men's category with 41 entrants, this division is topped by Akil Gjakova of Kosovo, our Elo #115. Gjakova, born in 1996, prefers Ouchi-gari from a right-handed stance and is coached by DRITON KUKA. He has one Grand Slam gold, three silver, and one bronze, along with two continental championships gold medals. Gjakova was also a gold medalist at the 2018 Mediterranean Games and the 2021 European Judo Championships. Joan-Benjamin Gaba of France, our #141, is the reigning World Champion from 2025 and a 2024 Olympic silver medalist. Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov, representing UAE and ranked #160, is the reigning World Championships silver medalist from 2026, also holding a 2025 World Championships bronze and two Grand Slam gold medals.

-81 kg: Among the 38 entrants, Turkey's Vedat Albayrak is the highest-rated at #88 on our Elo. Albayrak, born in 1994, is known for his Uchi-mata-sukashi from a right-handed stance and is coached by Irakli UZNADZE. His extensive medal collection includes a 2018 World Championships bronze, two World Masters bronze medals, five Grand Slam gold, four silver, and two bronze, plus two continental championships gold. Omar Rajabli of Azerbaijan, our #211, is the reigning World Championships bronze medalist from 2026. Rajabli, born in 2004, uses Uchi-mata and has one Grand Slam gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Arnaud Aregba of France, our #243, is also entered.

-90 kg: This category features 35 entrants, with four in our active top 100. Italy's Christian Parlati, our Elo #56, leads the group. Born in 1998, Parlati favors Yama-arashi from a left-handed stance and is coached by Giuseppe Maddaloni. He earned a 2022 World Championships silver, one Grand Slam gold, two silver, and three bronze, plus a continental championships gold. Davlat Bobonov of Uzbekistan, our #61, is a 2022 World Champion and a 2021 Olympic bronze medalist. He has two Grand Slam gold medals and a 2023 World Masters bronze. Ivaylo Ivanov of Bulgaria, our #83, has one Grand Slam gold, five silver, and three bronze medals, along with a 2021 World Masters bronze.

-100 kg: With 37 entrants, this division is headed by Michael Korrel of the Netherlands, our Elo #82. Korrel, born in 1994, employs Uchi-mata and is coached by Theo Meijer. He has two World Championships bronze medals (2019, 2022), a 2019 World Masters gold, and five Grand Slam gold medals. Jorge Fonseca of Portugal, our Elo 1329, is a two-time World Champion (2019, 2021) and a 2021 Olympic bronze medalist. Fonseca, born in 1993, is known for his Osoto-gari. Dzhafar Kostoev, representing UAE and ranked #219, has two Grand Slam gold medals and three continental championships silver medals.

+100 kg: The heavyweight category has 26 entrants. Jelle Snippe of the Netherlands, our Elo 1246, is the highest-rated. Born in 1999, Snippe uses Uchi-mata-sukashi and is coached by Edwin Steringa. He has one Grand Slam gold, one silver, and three bronze medals, in addition to a continental championships bronze. Denis Batchaev of Russia, our #264, born in 2005, has one Grand Slam gold and three bronze medals. Kayhan Ozcicek-Takagi of Australia, our #283, holds one continental championships gold and one bronze medal.

Women's Categories

-48 kg: This category features 22 entrants. Marina Vorobeva of Russia, our Elo #129, leads the field. Born in 2002, Vorobeva's favorite technique is Uchi-mata from a left-handed stance. She has one Grand Slam gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, plus a continental championships bronze. Kristina Dudina of Russia, our #233, born in 2005, is a 2024 European champion. Dudina, who uses Tai-Otoshi from a left-handed stance, has one Grand Slam silver and two bronze medals. Merve Azak of Turkey, our #362, is also entered.

-52 kg: Among the 28 entrants, two are in our active top 100. Amandine Buchard of France, our Elo #4, is one of the highest-rated active seniors in judo. Born in 1996, Buchard, who prefers Kata-guruma from a right-handed stance, is coached by MOUETTE. Her impressive record includes a 2021 Olympic silver and a 2024 Olympic bronze, five World Championships bronze medals, two World Masters gold, and nine Grand Slam gold medals. Diyora Keldiyorova of Uzbekistan, our #20, is the reigning Olympic champion from 2024 and a two-time World Championships silver medalist (2023, 2024). Keldiyorova, born in 1999, is the first Uzbek woman to win an Olympic judo gold. Reka Pupp of Hungary, our #127, has three Grand Slam gold medals and a 2022 World Masters bronze.

-57 kg: This category has 23 entrants, with one in our active top 100. Mimi Huh of South Korea, our Elo #30, is the reigning World Champion from 2024 and a 2024 Olympic silver medalist. Born in 2003, Huh, who employs Uchi-mata from a left-handed stance, also has three Grand Slam gold medals. Chelsie Giles of Great Britain, our #101, is a 2021 Olympic bronze medalist and a 2022 World Championships silver medalist. Giles, born in 1997, is known for her Uchi-mata and has two Grand Slam gold medals. Martha Fawaz of France, our #133, has one Grand Slam gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.

-63 kg: With 24 entrants, two are in our active top 100. Joanne Van Lieshout of the Netherlands, our Elo #47, is the reigning World Champion from 2024, also holding a 2023 World Championships bronze. Born in 2003, Van Lieshout's favorite technique is Uchi-mata-sukashi, and she is coached by Angelique van Wegberg. She has two Grand Slam silver and seven bronze medals. Angelika Szymanska of Poland, our #51, is the reigning World Championships silver medalist from 2024. Szymanska, born in 2000, uses Uchi-mata and has two Grand Slam gold medals. Laura Fazliu of Kosovo, our #147, is a 2024 Olympic bronze medalist and a two-time World Championships bronze medalist (2024, 2025).

-70 kg: This category sees 26 entrants, with three in our active top 100. Lara Cvjetko of Croatia, our Elo #49, is the reigning World Championships silver medalist from 2025, also earning a 2022 World Championships silver. Born in 2002, Cvjetko prefers Seoi-nage and is coached by Dragan Crnov. She has one Grand Slam gold and two World Masters bronze medals. Elisavet Teltsidou of Greece, our #67, has five Grand Slam gold medals and a 2023 World Masters silver. Sanne Van Dijke of the Netherlands, our #89, is a 2021 Olympic bronze medalist and a three-time World Championships bronze medalist (2021, 2022, 2025).

-78 kg: Among the 26 entrants, two are in our active top 100. Patricia Sampaio of Portugal, our Elo #72, is a 2024 Olympic bronze medalist and the reigning World Championships bronze medalist from 2025. Born in 2000, Sampaio employs Tai-Otoshi from a left-handed stance and is coached by Igor Sampaio. She has two Grand Slam gold medals. Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko, representing UAE and ranked #79, is the reigning World Champion from 2026. Lytvynenko, born in 2004, uses Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi from a right-handed stance and has two Grand Slam gold medals. Madeleine Malonga of France, our #159, is a 2021 Olympic silver medalist and a 2019 World Champion.

+78 kg: The heaviest women's category has 14 entrants, with one in our active top 100. Raz Hershko of Israel, our Elo #90, is the reigning World Championships bronze medalist from 2026 and a 2024 Olympic silver medalist. Born in 1999, Hershko, known as 'Hershkules', favors Kata-guruma and is coached by hershko. She has seven Grand Slam gold medals and two continental championships gold medals. Asya Tavano of Italy, our #174, has two Grand Slam gold medals and four continental championships bronze medals. Helena Vukovic of Croatia, our #252, has three Grand Slam bronze medals.

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2026 -- highest-rated entrant by category

Category	Top entrant	Elo
Men -60	Balabay Aghayev	Elo 1366
Men -66	Walide Khyar	Elo 1340
Men -73	Akil Gjakova	Elo 1318
Men -81	Vedat Albayrak	Elo 1346
Men -90	Christian Parlati	Elo 1370
Men -100	Michael Korrel	Elo 1351
Men +100	Jelle Snippe	Elo 1246
Women -48	Marina Vorobeva	Elo 1308
Women -52	Amandine Buchard	Elo 1592
Women -57	Mimi Huh	Elo 1445
Women -63	Joanne Van Lieshout	Elo 1387
Women -70	Lara Cvjetko	Elo 1382
Women -78	Patricia Sampaio	Elo 1356
Women +78	Raz Hershko	Elo 1345

Entries as of 22 Oct 2026 from the IJF; entries can change. Elo is projudo.xyz's rating from past IJF results, not a forecast. Names link to full profiles on projudo.xyz.

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20th Asian Games: Judo Preview - Aichi-Nagoya 2026

The 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya, commencing on 30 September 2026, will feature a strong contingent of judokas from across the continent. As of 23 September 2026, 203 athletes from 32 countries are entered, with 14 of them currently ranked within our active top 100. Entries are subject to change, and the draw has not yet been made.

Men -60 kg

Twenty athletes are entered in the men's -60 kg category. Hayato Kondo of Japan, with an Elo rating of 1331 and ranked #97 among active seniors, leads the entered athletes. Kondo, born in 2001, stands at 164 cm and favors the Uchi-mata technique. He is coached by EBINUMA Masashi and has secured 1 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Yeldos Smetov of Kazakhstan, born in 1993, is also entered. Smetov, a 2024 Olympic champion, has an Elo of 1327 and boasts an impressive medal record including Olympic gold and silver, World Championship gold, and multiple Grand Slam medals. Harim Lee of South Korea, born in 1998, completes the top three rated entrants with an Elo of 1293. Lee, a bronze medalist at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships, favors the Seoi-nage technique.

Men -66 kg

In the men's -66 kg division, 20 judokas are set to compete. Nurali Emomali of Tajikistan, born in 2002, is the highest-rated entrant with an Elo of 1359 and ranked #70. Emomali, who stands 176 cm tall, favors Ouchi-gari and has won a silver medal at the 2025 World Championships, alongside multiple Grand Slam and continental titles. Shinsei Hattori of Japan, born in 2004, is the second highest-rated with an Elo of 1332. Hattori, who favors Uchi-mata, has achieved 3 silver and 1 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Gusman Kyrgyzbayev of Kazakhstan, born in 1993, is also entered, holding a World Championship silver medal from 2021 and an Olympic bronze from 2024.

Men -73 kg

The men's -73 kg category features 16 entered athletes. Shakhram Ahadov of Uzbekistan, born in 1997, leads the field with an Elo of 1376 and a ranking of #56. Ahadov, who favors Ippon-seoi-nage, has won 2 gold and 6 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Muhiddin Asadulloev of Tajikistan, born in 2006, is the second highest-rated with an Elo of 1331. Asadulloev has secured 2 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals at Grand Slam competitions. Tatsuki Ishihara of Japan, born in 2002, is also among the top entrants, with a silver medal from the 2024 World Championships.

Men -81 kg

Eighteen athletes are entered in the men's -81 kg class. Sotaro Fujiwara of Japan, born in 1998, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1409 and ranked #37. Fujiwara, a silver medalist at the 2018 World Championships, has won 5 gold and 5 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Joonhwan Lee of South Korea, born in 2003, is closely rated with an Elo of 1405 and ranked #39. Lee is an Olympic bronze medalist from 2024 and has won multiple Grand Slam titles. Abubakr Sherov of Tajikistan is also entered, with Grand Slam silver and bronze medals.

Men -90 kg

Seventeen judokas are entered in the men's -90 kg category. Jonghoon Kim of South Korea, born in 2001, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1333 and ranked #94. Kim, who favors Seoi-nage, has won a gold medal at a Grand Slam event. Aidar Arapov of Kazakhstan, born in 2003, is also entered, holding a Grand Slam bronze medal. Erlan Sherov of Kyrgyzstan, born in 1999, is a bronze medalist from the 2024 World Championships.

Men -100 kg

Twelve athletes are entered in the men's -100 kg division. Said Sadrudinov of Bahrain, born in 2002, leads the entrants with an Elo of 1189. Sadrudinov has won 1 gold and 2 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Juyeop Han of South Korea, born in 1999, is also entered, with 3 bronze medals from Grand Slam competitions. Dzhakhongir Madzhidov of Tajikistan, born in 2000, has secured 1 silver and 4 bronze medals at Grand Slam events.

Men +100 kg

In the men's +100 kg, 12 judokas are set to compete. Hyoga Ota of Japan, born in 1998, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1355 and ranked #75. Ota, who favors Okuri-ashi-harai, has an impressive record of 5 gold and 5 silver medals at Grand Slam events. Muzaffarbek Turoboyev of Uzbekistan, born in 2000, is also entered. Turoboyev is a World Champion from 2022 and an Olympic bronze medalist from 2024. Minjong Kim of South Korea, born in 2001, is a silver medalist from the 2024 Olympic Games and a gold medalist at the 2024 World Championships.

Women -48 kg

Eleven athletes are entered in the women's -48 kg category. Mitsuki Kondo of Japan, born in 2005, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1296 and ranked #140. Kondo, who favors Seoi-nage, has won 2 gold and 1 silver medal at Grand Slam events. Abiba Abuzhakynova of Kazakhstan, born in 1998, is also entered. Abuzhakynova is a silver medalist from the 2025 World Championships and has multiple Grand Slam bronze medals. Narantsetseg Ganbaatar of Mongolia, born in 1995, has a World Masters silver medal from 2019.

Women -52 kg

Fourteen judokas are entered in the women's -52 kg division. Kokoro Fujishiro of Japan, born in 2002, leads the field with an Elo of 1386 and ranked #49. Fujishiro, who favors Sode-tsurikomi-goshi, has won 2 gold and 2 silver medals at Grand Slam events. Seyun Jang of South Korea, born in 2003, is also entered, with a bronze medal from continental championships. Sita Kadamboeva of Uzbekistan, born in 2002, has secured 3 bronze medals at Grand Slam events.

Women -57 kg

Sixteen athletes are entered in the women's -57 kg category. Mimi Huh of South Korea, born in 2002, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1455 and ranked #26. Huh, a 2024 Olympic silver medalist and 2024 World Champion, favors Uchi-mata and has won 3 gold medals at Grand Slam events. Ariunzaya Terbish of Mongolia, born in 2008, is also entered, with Grand Slam silver and bronze medals. Mio Shirakane of Japan, born in 2006, has achieved Grand Slam silver and bronze medals.

Women -63 kg

Ten athletes are entered in the women's -63 kg division. Narumi Tanioka of Japan, born in 2003, leads with an Elo of 1364 and ranked #67. Tanioka, who favors Osoto-gari, has won 1 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal at Grand Slam events. Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo of Mongolia, born in 1999, is the second highest-rated with an Elo of 1358. Lkhagvatogoo is a two-time bronze medalist at the World Championships. Jisu Kim of South Korea, born in 2001, has secured 2 gold and 3 bronze medals at Grand Slam events.

Women -70 kg

Fifteen judokas are entered in the women's -70 kg category. Rin Maeda of Japan, born in 2006, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1280. Maeda, who favors Seoi-nage, has won 1 gold and 2 bronze medals at Grand Slam events. Jing Tang of China, born in 1996, is also entered, with Grand Slam silver and bronze medals. Song Hui Mun of North Korea, born in 2002, has won a gold medal at continental championships.

Women -78 kg

Twelve athletes are entered in the women's -78 kg division. Mizuki Sugimura of Japan, born in 2004, leads with an Elo of 1184. Sugimura has a bronze medal from a Grand Slam event. Minju Kim of South Korea, born in 2003, has won 1 gold and 1 silver medal at Grand Slam events. Hongtao Wu of China, born in 2000, has a gold medal from continental championships.

Women +78 kg

Ten judokas are entered in the women's +78 kg category. Hyeonji Lee of South Korea, born in 2007, is the highest-rated with an Elo of 1260. Lee is a bronze medalist from the 2025 World Championships and has multiple Grand Slam and continental medals. Xinran Niu of China, born in 2005, has won 1 gold and 1 silver medal at Grand Slam events. Miki Mukunoki of Japan, born in 2004, has secured a gold medal at a Grand Slam event.

20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya -- highest-rated entrant by category

Category	Top entrant	Elo
Men -60	Hayato Kondo	Elo 1331
Men -66	Nurali Emomali	Elo 1359
Men -73	Shakhram Ahadov	Elo 1376
Men -81	Sotaro Fujiwara	Elo 1409
Men -90	Jonghoon Kim	Elo 1333
Men -100	Said Sadrudinov	Elo 1189
Men +100	Hyoga Ota	Elo 1355
Women -48	Mitsuki Kondo	Elo 1296
Women -52	Kokoro Fujishiro	Elo 1386
Women -57	Mimi Huh	Elo 1455
Women -63	Narumi Tanioka	Elo 1364
Women -70	Rin Maeda	Elo 1280
Women -78	Mizuki Sugimura	Elo 1184
Women +78	Hyeonji Lee	Elo 1260

Entries as of 23 Sep 2026 from the IJF; entries can change. Elo is projudo.xyz's rating from past IJF results, not a forecast. Names link to full profiles on projudo.xyz.

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