The IJF World Judo Tour rolls on, with its next stop in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where the Dushanbe Grand Slam 2026 will take place from 1–3 May. The draw has been completed, revealing a field of 240 judoka representing 34 nations.
With the 2026 continental championships only just concluded, many of the sport’s biggest names have opted to sit this one out. The field may be lighter at the very top but not entirely. There is still plenty of quality and intrigue across the categories.
Among the 14 weight classes, six top seeds come from Europe, underlining the continent’s continued strength. These include 2025 world bronze medallist Ayub Bliev (RUS, -60kg), Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Theodoros Tselidis (GRE, -90kg), and triple Olympian Ushangi Kokauri (AZE, +100kg). In the women’s divisions, double Olympic medallist and 2026 European bronze medallist Odette Giuffrida (ITA, -52kg) leads the charge, alongside six-time IJF World Tour medallist Ida Eriksson (SWE, -70kg) and four-time European bronze medallist Asya Tavano (ITA, +78kg).
The Italian team, among several others, barely had time to pause after competing in Tbilisi less than two weeks ago, yet they are already back on the tatami, ready for another demanding test. Adding further depth to the field is double Olympic medallist Michaela Polleres (AUT, -70kg), whose presence ensures the category remains fiercely competitive.
The host nation fields a strong delegation of 40 judoka and claims four of the remaining top-seeded positions in the men’s categories. Tajikistan will also be eager to replicate last year’s success, having topped the medal table in 2025 with four gold, three silver and four bronze medals. Azerbaijan followed in second place (2-2-0), with France completing the podium positions (2-1-4).
For the European Judo Union, this event offers another valuable opportunity for European judoka to make their mark on the international stage, even in a transitional moment between major championships. All eyes now turn to Dushanbe to see who will seize the moment. Follow the action live on JudoTV.
Author: EJU Media