Japan produced a double triumph on day three of the 2026 Judo World Championships in Baku, with Akari Omori and Ryuga Tanaka winning gold in closely fought finals. Omori defeated defending champion Eteri Liparteliani in the women’s under-57kg category, while Tanaka overcame the United Arab Emirates’ Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov in the men’s under-73kg division.
The results added two new world champions to Japan’s team at the championships, which are being held at Baku’s National Gymnastics Arena. Both finals were decided by fine margins, with Omori winning in golden score and Tanaka securing victory with a decisive attack.
Omori wins first world title at under-57kg
Akari Omori claimed her first senior world title after navigating a demanding route through the women’s under-57kg draw. Her progress included a significant victory over fellow Japanese judoka Momo Tamaoki before she reached the final.
Waiting for her was Eteri Liparteliani, the reigning world champion. The Georgian judoka had again reached the final and had produced some of the day’s most impressive throws during the competition.
The final remained unresolved through regulation time and moved into golden score. Omori then found her opportunity on the ground, turning Liparteliani over and completing a hold-down to secure the title.
The victory marked a major milestone for Omori, who showed strength both in standing exchanges and groundwork throughout the tournament. It also ended Liparteliani’s latest attempt to retain her world crown.
Tanaka takes under-73kg gold in tight final
Ryuga Tanaka followed Omori’s success by winning the men’s under-73kg title. The Japanese competitor faced a difficult draw and had to overcome the category’s top seed on his way to the final.
Tanaka then reached the gold-medal contest after a semi-final in which a waza-ari score put him in contention for the championship. His opponent, Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov of the United Arab Emirates, entered the final as a world number three and already had a world bronze medal.
Makhmadbekov had impressed earlier in the day with a combination of strength and technical ability. The final, however, was settled by a single score.
Tanaka delivered the decisive moment with a driving ouchi-gari, taking Makhmadbekov down for a yuko score. That was enough to secure gold and complete Japan’s second championship victory of the day.
Japan’s double success highlights competitive day in Baku
The two victories underlined the depth of Japan’s judo programme across both women’s and men’s competition. Omori’s success came against the reigning champion in a final that required patience and effective groundwork, while Tanaka’s win was decided by a precisely timed attack in a contest of narrow margins.
Day three also featured activities away from the competition area. Fans at the National Gymnastics Arena had the opportunity to meet judo athletes, while the International Judo Federation announced institutional and commercial agreements during the championships.
- Akari Omori won the women’s under-57kg world title.
- Ryuga Tanaka took gold in the men’s under-73kg category.
- Omori defeated defending champion Eteri Liparteliani in golden score.
- Tanaka beat Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov with a yuko score from ouchi-gari.
- The results gave Japan two new world champions on day three.
What happens next at the Baku championships?
Competition will continue with day four of the 2026 World Championships in Baku. Further medals will be contested as athletes from across the world continue their campaigns at the National Gymnastics Arena.
The early results have already established a strong showing for Japan, but the championships remain ongoing. Attention will now turn to the next weight categories and whether other leading nations can add to their medal totals.
Conclusion
Japan secured two more world titles in Baku as Akari Omori and Ryuga Tanaka prevailed in contrasting but closely fought finals. Omori’s golden-score victory over Eteri Liparteliani and Tanaka’s single-score win against Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov were the defining results of day three, with the next stage of the championships continuing on day four.
