The key facts

  • The last Grand Prix of 2026 has started in Zagreb: over 400 judokas from more than 60 countries
  • Assunta Scutto claimed her second Grand Prix gold of 2026, while Aman Bakytzhan took silver at -60 kg
  • The medals in the -52 kg category were presented by Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Hungary and Croatia, Oybek Shakhavdinov

The final Grand Prix of the year kicked off in Zagreb

The Judo World Tour has returned to Croatia: the last Grand Prix of 2026 began at the Arena Zagreb. According to Euronews, more than 400 athletes from over 60 countriestook to the tatami, competing for gold medals. The first day brought five finals in the lighter weight categories.

Day one: five champions

In the under 48 kg category, former world champion Assunta Scutto of Italy faced Galiya Tynbayeva of Kazakhstan. A beautiful counter throw earned Scutto her second Grand Prix gold of 2026. “Today I felt very good, this is a wonderful place. Today I was in great shape, I enjoyed it,” Euronews quotes her as saying. The medals were presented by International Judo Federation Vice President Dr. László Tóth.

Debutants and first golds

In the under 60 kg weight, Aman Bakytzhan of Kazakhstan lost the final to Yang Yun-Wei of Chinese Taipei: both judokas scored a waza-ari, but Yang won on technical points. For Nurkanat Serikbayev, competing in the under 66 kg category, the Grand Prix final block was the first of his career — a spectacular sumi-gaeshi for ippon brought him his first Grand Prix medal, and a gold one at that. “This is my first visit to Croatia, and it has been wonderful. A beautiful, spacious and comfortable venue, and the people are very friendly and easygoing,” the athlete said.

Sensation at -52 kg and a Uzbek touch at the ceremony

Hungary’s Réka Gyertyás had an outstanding day: in the semifinal she defeated the reigning Olympic champion, and in the final gave her opponent no chance in the ground fight, claiming the first Grand Prix gold of her career. The medals in this category were presented by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Hungary and Croatia, Oybek Shakhavdinov — thus Uzbekistan was represented at the award ceremony. In the under 57 kg weight, Brazil’s Shirlen Nascimento won the final with a chokehold — also her first Grand Prix gold. The medals were presented by the IJF Director of Education and Coaching Mohammed Meridja, IJF Head Refereeing Director Armen Bagdasarov, and the federation’s Secretary General Dr. Lisa Allan. The second day of competition continues on November 15.