Heavyweight showdown in Tashkent: Bekauri and Kotsoiev headline European charge

The final day of the Tashkent Grand Slam is all about the big divisions and the last five sets of medals. After two intense competition days with high-quality judo, the spotlight now shifts to the heavier categories. Fans can expect a mix of star power, comebacks and potential upsets as the tournament reaches its climax.

In the men’s U90kg field, Lasha Bekauri is once again at the center of attention. The Georgian double Olympic champion returns to Grand Slam action after his title in Abu Dhabi in 2025 and is already thinking long-term toward a possible third Olympic crown in Los Angeles. He will not have it easy, with Brazil’s Rafael Macedo arriving in form after his Lima Grand Prix win and Olympic bronze medallist Theodoros Tselidis of Greece targeting redemption after narrowly missing the podium in Paris. Behind this trio, a deep pack of contenders is ready to explode if an opportunity appears.

Europe’s top judoka aim to dominate the heavy divisions on the final day.

The women’s U78kg category feels wide open with 21 athletes chasing the podium. Germany’s Anna Monta Olek comes in as the leading favourite after her third place in Paris two weeks ago and has the chance to convert consistency into a major gold. France’s Kaila Issoufi represents the new wave of French women in a historically successful weight class and could make a big statement. With strong names from Brazil, Japan and France in the draw, momentum can swing quickly.

In the men’s U100kg division, Olympic champion Zelim Kotsoiev leads a powerful line-up. After winning Olympic gold in Paris and going through a mixed 2025 season, the Azerbaijani judoka sees Tashkent as the perfect place to restart his push at the top. Brazil’s Leonardo Gonçalves hopes to bounce back after missing his chance to shine in Paris, while Switzerland’s Daniel Eich, a four-time Grand Slam finalist, is a serious threat to anyone in the bracket. The depth of quality suggests that the seeding might not tell the whole story.

The women’s plus 78kg category brings together experience and hungry challengers. Israel’s Raz Hershko, with Olympic and world medals and fifteen Grand Slam podiums including five titles, remains one of the pillars of the division. Croatia’s Helena Vukovic wants to build on her seventh place at the Paris Olympic Games, and France’s Léa Fontaine has a real opportunity to step forward in the absence of Romane Dicko. In heavyweight contests, a single exchange can flip the entire narrative.

The competition closes with the men’s plus 100kg, where 18 judoka fight for the last gold of the event. Home hero Alisher Yusupov, an Olympic bronze medallist, will have massive support from the Uzbek crowd and stands among the leading favourites. Fellow Uzbek contender Utkirbek Turoboyev is also in the medal hunt, but Zagreb winner Kanan Nasibov poses a constant threat in any heavyweight clash. With power, timing and composure all in play, the final session in Tashkent is set for a dramatic finish.

Source: JudoInside