Twelve medals were secured by European judoka on the opening day of the Upper Austria Grand Prix 2026, including two golden moments. A special mention goes to the Spanish team, who claimed half of Europe’s medal haul. Currently, Japan leads the overall medal table with three gold, one silver and one bronze medal. France follows with one gold and one bronze, while Azerbaijan currently sits in third place with a single gold. Here is how the 12 European medals unfolded in Linz.
The -48kg bronze medal contests concluded with continental success as Amber Gersjes (NED) and Laura Martinez Abelenda (ESP) both stepped onto the podium with their respective third place finish. European interest continued in the final, with Eva Perez Soler (ESP) facing Mitsuki Kondo (JPN). The opening category of the first final block of the 2026 Grand Prix series delivered excitement from the very first hajime. Spain had already guaranteed itself a medal and still had hopes of gold.
The contest proved far closer than Kondo might have anticipated, with Perez Soler executing a disciplined tactical plan. It was a clean and intelligent contest from both athletes. However, as the bout moved past the halfway mark, Kondo seized her moment. She launched a superb low tai-otoshi, scoring waza-ari before transitioning seamlessly into groundwork to secure ippon. Japan claimed the tournament’s first gold medal.
The men’s -60kg category under the lights of the Tips Arena in Linz presented a demanding path for world silver medallist Romain Valadier-Picard (FRA). Despite beginning the day at the top of the draw, his route to the final was anything but straightforward.
After receiving a bye and fighting through four hard-won contests, the Frenchman finally reached the final, showing resilience and determination throughout the day. Awaiting him was Dilshot Khalmatov (UKR), a six-time World Judo Tour medallist and one of the most explosive throwers of the opening day.
The final began cautiously, with neither athlete revealing too much. As the final minute approached, Valadier-Picard struck first, dropping into a very low tai-otoshi to score a yuko. Khalmatov was forced to open up and the Frenchman capitalised again, this time with seoi-otoshi for waza-ari.
Victory seemed within reach but a momentary lapse almost proved costly. After a failed attack, Valadier-Picard stood upright and was caught by Khalmatov, who fought his way to a yuko. Fortunately for the Frenchman, it could have been far worse. Holding his nerve, he managed the final seconds expertly to secure gold.
Cadet and junior world champion Iroha Oi (JPN) stepped onto the tatami aiming to deliver Japan’s second gold medal of the day when she faced senior world medallist Roza Gyertyas (HUN) in the -52kg final.
Gyertyas’ physical strength created real challenges for Oi, who sought to maintain distance between them. The Hungarian worked persistently to close that gap but with just over two minutes remaining Oi demonstrated exactly why space mattered, scoring a yuko with a precise ko-uchi-gari. It proved to be the only score of the contest, earning Oi the gold medal while Gyertyas collected silver.
Ayumi Leiva Sanchez (ESP) is well accustomed to the pressure of the final block but for Tatum Keen (GBR) this was her first appearance at this stage of a World Judo Tour event. In Austria, experience prevailed, with the Spaniard taking the bronze home.
The -66kg category was packed with world and Olympic medallists, guaranteeing that whoever emerged on top would have fully earned their crown. Ruslan Pashayev (AZE) and Ronald Lima (BRA) fought their way through a highly competitive field during the preliminary rounds, overcoming formidable opposition to reach the final.
In the title contest, Lima, last year’s winner in Linz, knew the danger posed by Pashayev, who can launch attacks from almost any position. Lima struck first with a powerful o-uchi-gari, scoring a yuko as Pashayev attempted to spin out. Under pressure, the Azerbaijani judoka responded by pulling Lima forward before unleashing a huge de-ashi-harai. Lima reacted well and managed to scramble, limiting the score to a yuko and levelling the contest.
Golden score followed. After two minutes of extra time, both athletes had a yuko and two penalties each on the scoreboard. As the tension built, Pashayev finally found his moment, countering Lima with a beautiful tsubame-gaeshi to secure gold for Azerbaijan. Lima settled for silver, reaching his second consecutive final in Linz, though this time falling just short. David Garcia Torne (ESP) and Adrian Nieto Chinarro (ESP) completed the podium with bronze medals.
The -57kg category brought the European chapter of day one to a close with two further bronze medals. They were secured by 2025 Paris Grand Slam winner Martha Fawaz (FRA) and Maria Garcia Martin (ESP), rounding off a strong continental start in Linz.
Source: IJF/Jo Crowley. Images: IJF/ Gabriela Sabau
Author: Szandra Szogedi