Sordyl breaks through as Tavano shines and Europe closes Dushanbe on top

The Dushanbe Grand Slam 2026 finished with a strong European stamp on the final day. European athletes collected 16 of the 20 medals available and took three of the five golds. It was another reminder that Europe’s depth across categories remains one of the biggest forces on the World Judo Tour.

At -90 kg, the final between Theodoros Tselidis (GRE) and Mansur Lorsanov (RUS) was tense and cautious from the start. Neither man wanted to give away an opening, and that hesitation brought penalties as both moved deeper into danger. With two Shido each, the match went into golden score before Lorsanov managed to stay in control and come away with the title. Earlier, Adam Kopecký (CZE) and Mihail Latisev (MDA) had already put Europe on the podium with bronze medals.

Europe also stayed visible in the -78 kg category. Marit Kamps (NED) and Alexandra Riabchenko (RUS) earned bronze, while Yael van Heemst (NED) reached the final. There, Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko (UAE) set a fierce pace from hajime and finished the contest after 1:18 with Ippon from a powerful hip throw.

The final day felt like another statement from European judo.

In the -100 kg class, Oleksii Yershov (UKR) and Vadim Ghimbovschi (MDA) added more bronze for Europe. The gold match went the other way, though, as Fuchun Huang (CHN) found a decisive O-uchi-gari in golden score against Adam Sangariev (RUS) and turned it into Ippon.

One of the clearest European highlights came in +78 kg. Asya Tavano (ITA) scored early with Yuko against Jinesinuer Ayiman (CHN) and then managed the contest with impressive composure. That win gave her a second Dushanbe gold after her 2024 success, underlining how comfortable she looks on these tatami.

The biggest breakthrough came in the men’s +100 kg division. Jakub Sordyl (POL) had already shown his resilience in the semi-final by overturning a Waza-ari deficit against top seed Ushangi Kokauri (AZE). In the final against Bislan Katamardov (RUS), he went behind to a Yuko from Kata-guruma, but when the same attack came again, Sordyl countered beautifully, moved into Osae-komi and held for Ippon. It was his first Grand Slam medal, and he turned it straight into gold.

By the end of the event, Europe had not just won medals. It had shaped the story of the closing day.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union