Judo: The Final Grand Prix of 2026 Kicks Off in Zagreb
The Zagreb Grand Prix welcomes over 400 judoka from more than 60 countries. Assunta Scutto claims her second Grand Prix gold of 2026, while Yang Yung Wei, Roza Gyertyas, Nurkanat Serikbayev and Shirlen Nascimento celebrate victories on an exciting opening day.
The Judo World Tour returned to Croatia for the 2026 Grand Prix finale, with Arena Zagreb serving as the venue for the event. Over 400 athletes from more than 60 countries competed for the coveted gold medals. Former world champion Assunta SCUTTO of Italy faced off against Kazakhstan's Galiya TYNBAYEVA in the -48Kg category. SCUTTO's counter secured her second Grand Prix gold of 2026, as awarded by the International Judo Federation's Dr Laszlo TOTH.
In the -60kg category, Kazakhstan's Aman BAKYTZHAN faced off against Chinese Taipei's Yung Wei YANG. Both fighters scored a waza-ari, setting the stage for a technical battle that Yang ultimately won, courtesy of the International Judo Federation's Mr Mohammed MERIDJA.
Hungary's Roza GYERTYAS had a standout day, defeating Olympic champion in the semi-finals and advancing to the final. In the end, GYERTYAS' unmatched ground skills led to her first-ever Grand Prix gold medal, as recognized by Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Hungary and Croatia, His Excellency Mr Oybek SHAKHAVDINOV.
Kazakhstan's Nurkanat SERIKBAYEV made history by competing in his first Grand Prix final block at -66Kg. His spectacular Sumi-gaeshi and ippon score secured him his first Grand Prix medal, a gold, awarded by Head Referee Director of the International Judo Federation, Mr Armen BAGDASAROV.
Brazil's Shirlen NASCIMENTO secured her first-ever Grand Prix gold by employing a brilliant strangle technique. The award for her victory was given by the International Judo Federation's Secretary General, Dr Lisa ALLAN.
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