Europe hits hard in Tbilisi: four golds and a first-time breakthrough

The IJF World Tour stop in Tbilisi, Georgia, is more than just another weekend on the calendar. With the Senior European Championships 2026 set for next month in the Olympic Sports Palace, day one of the Tbilisi Grand Slam 2026 felt like a loud early preview — and Europe showed up ready. Four of the five gold medals went to European nations, and the podiums were packed with European flags.

Europe collected 17 of the 20 medals available on day one.

At -48 kg, the continent owned the whole podium. Marina Vorobeva (RUS) needed little time to secure bronze against Sarah Ischt (GER), closing it out with an osaekomi for Ippon. The second bronze went to Sabina Giliazova (RUS), who landed a crisp Uchi-mata for Ippon against Eva Pérez Soler (ESP). In the final, Tuğçe Beder (TUR) delivered a career moment: against world and Olympic medallist Tara Babulfath (SWE), she stayed composed through a tight, tactical fight and took it in golden score on penalties — her first-ever Grand Slam gold.

The -52 kg story brought shocks and a French finish. Top seed Reka Pupp (HUN) went out in round one to Pauline Cuq (FRA), who rode that momentum to the semis before being stopped by Tatum Keen (GBR). On the other side, Blandine Pont (FRA) looked sharp and confident, reaching the final and then striking late: a yuko with O-soto-gari near the edge proved decisive. It was Pont’s fourth Grand Slam gold, and her first at -52 kg.

Europe also left a mark at -57 kg. Martha Fawaz (FRA) grabbed bronze with a yuko from Seoi-otoshi. Then Pihla Salonen (FIN) flipped the mood in the arena: after falling behind to Nino Loladze (GEO), she answered with Kata-guruma for Waza-ari and finished with a powerful counter for Ippon — her first Grand Slam medal.

Only -66 kg denied Europe a gold, but not the podium: Turan Bayramov (AZE) took silver and Europe still picked up both bronzes. Day one sent a clear message — Europe’s depth is real, and Tbilisi is already heating up.

Source: EJU_News