As the tatami beckons and the world watches, elite judoka stand at the threshold of a defining year, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualification will begin in 161 days. Whether chasing Olympic dreams, world championship gold or the fulfilment of promises made to themselves in the quiet hours before dawn, some of the world’s finest judoka share their unshakeable thoughts.
Olympic, World and European Champion, Hidayat Heydarov (AZE): “I want to regain the form I had previously and return to my best shape. I want to become European and World Champion this year. Olympic qualification also begins this year and I want to accumulate points early to ensure a strong start to the qualification process. The World Championships are particularly significant as they will be held in my country and becoming World Champion there would mean a lot to me.”
Olympic and World medallist, European Champion, Ilia Sulamanidze (GEO): “My goals this year will be European champion and world champion.”
Double Olympic medallist, World and European Champion, Odette Giuffrida (ITA): “My goal for this year is to be my best version, to finish the year, be proud and happy and to achieve the purpose that God have for my life.”
Olympic bronze medallist, World and European Champion, Francisco Garrigos (ESP): “My goals for 2026 are to spend time with my son, with Ana and to do well at both, the European and World Championships.”
European Champion, Martti Puumalainen (FIN): “My goals for this year are the Europeans and the worlds and I know if I am in a good shape, the results will come with that.”
European Champion and World bronze medallist, Ozbas Szofi (HUN): “So my main goal for 2026 is to not comparing myself to the last year, to 2025 .The last year was really, really kind for me and it is, like, a really nice memory for me but my main goal is to let myself be today as I am and see what happens because if I like this, then I can…, I think a miracle can happen.”
Olympic Champion (teams), Alpha Oumar Djalo (FRA): “My goal for 2026 is to win the European Championships.”
Author: Szandra Szogedi