Day two of the Hungary Grand Slam 2026 in Budapest produced four finals and four different stories, as athletes from Japan, Azerbaijan and Greece secured gold on the international judo circuit.
Megu Danno won Japan’s second title of the competition, Rashid Mammadaliyev claimed his first Grand Slam victory, Elisavet Teltsidou collected her fifth, and Yoshito Hojo added another gold for Japan ahead of the heavyweight action on the final day.
Four gold medals decided in Budapest
The second day of competition brought decisive contests across the women’s under-63kg and under-70kg categories and the men’s under-73kg and under-81kg divisions. The finals highlighted contrasting routes to victory, including a yuko, ippon, waza-ari and a golden-score finish.
- -63kg women: Megu Danno defeated Slovenia’s Kaja Kajzer Zabkgar.
- -73kg men: Azerbaijan’s Rashid Mammadaliyev overcame Sweden’s Narek Vardanian.
- -70kg women: Greece’s Elisavet Teltsidou beat her final opponent after a dominant day.
- -81kg men: Japan’s Yoshito Hojo secured the final title of the day.
Danno adds a second Grand Slam title
Megu Danno became the first champion of the day after a tightly contested under-63kg final against Slovenia’s Kaja Kajzer Zabkgar. A yuko score proved enough to settle the contest and give the Japanese judoka her second Grand Slam gold in just four World Tour appearances.
The result also strengthened Japan’s presence at the Budapest event, with Danno joining the country’s other champion from the opening day. The medals were presented by Attila Kálnoki-Kiss, Hungary’s State Secretary responsible for Sport.
Mammadaliyev earns first major World Tour title
The men’s under-73kg final delivered one of the clearest winning moments of the day. Rashid Mammadaliyev of Azerbaijan defeated Sweden’s Narek Vardanian with a precisely timed seoi nage that produced ippon.
It was Mammadaliyev’s first Grand Slam gold, marking a significant milestone in his international career. His medal was awarded by Dr Lisa Allan, Secretary General of the International Judo Federation.
Teltsidou reaches five Grand Slam victories
Elisavet Teltsidou continued her strong record in the women’s under-70kg division. The Greek judoka had looked in control throughout the preliminary rounds and maintained that approach in the final.
Teltsidou combined a waza-ari score with a hold-down to secure her fifth Grand Slam title. Her victory was recognised at the medal ceremony by International Judo Federation Vice President Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko.
Hojo wins the day’s final gold
Japan’s Yoshito Hojo completed the day’s programme by winning the under-81kg final. The contest went into golden score before Hojo produced the technical performance needed to claim his second Grand Slam gold.
International Judo Federation Vice President Obaid Al Anzi presented the medals after the final. Hojo’s victory gave Japan another title in Budapest and closed a competitive second day on the tatami.
Budapest event combines ceremony and competition
The day began with an opening ceremony attended by representatives of the International Judo Federation and Hungarian sport. Speakers included Dr Lisa Allan, Hungarian State Secretary for Sport Attila Kálnoki-Kiss and Krisztián Tóth, President of the Hungarian Judo Association.
The ceremony formally marked the start of the event before attention moved to the competition arena, where local supporters watched athletes from several national teams compete for Grand Slam points and medals.
What happens on day three?
The Hungary Grand Slam 2026 concludes with the heavyweight categories. The final day will shift the focus to the sport’s heaviest divisions, with competitors seeking to finish the Budapest tournament on the podium.
Day two has already established several key talking points: Japan’s continued success, Mammadaliyev’s breakthrough title and Teltsidou’s latest addition to an impressive Grand Slam record. The heavyweight contests will decide the remaining champions of the event.
Conclusion
The Hungary Grand Slam 2026 delivered four champions on its second day, with Megu Danno, Rashid Mammadaliyev, Elisavet Teltsidou and Yoshito Hojo taking gold in Budapest. Their victories provide the main storylines heading into the tournament’s heavyweight finale and underline the international depth on display at one of Europe’s major judo competitions.
