Japan Reclaims Mixed Team World Judo Championship Title With Eighth Gold Medal in Baku

EuroNews•Published: Oct 12, 2026 01:12 AM IST

Japan secured its eighth Mixed Team World Championship title in Baku by defeating the Russian Federation in an intense final showdown. The victorious campaign featured strong performances from athletes including Tanaka Shiho, Murao Sanshiro, Mao Arai, and Akari Omori, who clinched the decisive winning match.

Semifinal Victory: Japan advanced to the championship final by overcoming a tough challenge from the People's Republic of China with dominant early wins.
Historic Final: The Russian Federation reached their first-ever mixed team final following a dramatic Golden Score playoff victory against Uzbekistan.
Decisive Match: Akari Omori secured the ultimate victory in the final match, sealing the gold medal for the Japanese squad despite a win by Russia's Tamerlan Bashaev.
Trophy Presentations: International Judo Federation President Mr. Marius Vizer and other high-ranking sports officials presented the medals and trophies to the winning teams.

The Context & Background

The World Judo Championships in Baku highlighted exceptional team spirit, unity, and collective athletic effort, culminating in Japan reclaiming the coveted international crown after previously earning bronze last year.

Why it matters:This victory reinforces Japan's historic dominance and premier status in international judo competition. It also showcases the growing competitiveness of global teams like the Russian Federation, which made a breakthrough appearance in its first-ever mixed team final.

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