Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko made history at -78kg, defeating Kaila Issoufi to become the UAE’s first-ever judo world champion. At -100kg, Georgia’s Ilia Sulamanidze overcame Dota Arai in the final to claim his first world title, turning previous bronze into gold.
Welcome back to the Baku World Judo Championships.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
At -78kg, Kaila ISSOUFI of France was on great form, working her way through the draw with some impressive judo along the way. ISSOUFI looked ready to make the most of her opportunity on the world stage.
Facing her was Yelyzaveta LYTVYNENKO of the U.A.E. The world number two’s fantastic judo had carried her all the way to the World Championship final in Baku. With World gold now just one contest away, she stepped onto the tatami knowing this was her chance to produce the biggest result of her career.
In the final, LYTVYNENKO wasted little time imposing herself, scoring waza-ari from an impressive o-uchi-gari that caught ISSOUFI off guard and offered an early advantage. She then decisively ended the contest with a second score. Marking not just her first gold medal at the World Championships, but the first judo World Champion ever for the United Arab Emirates.
IOC Member Mrs Filomena FORTES awarded the medals.
In the -100kg category, Ilia SULAMANIDZE was looking to upgrade his World bronze to gold, and he was in outstanding form on his route to the final. Powerful and decisive throughout the day, the Georgian arrived in the final with real momentum. Now, one more victory would deliver the crowning moment of his career and with it, the red backpatch.
ARAI Dota earned World bronze in 2024 and World silver in 2025. Could 2026 finally be the year that the Japanese powerhouse strikes gold and raises himself to the top of the podium? Only the final hurdle remained.
In the -100kg final, both athletes were determined but it was a yuko for SULAMANIDZE that crowned the Georgian as World Champion. A fitting finish to a career-defining performance.
Georgian National Federation of Aquatic Sports President Mr Dimitri ABDUSHELISHVILI awarded the medals.
Tomorrow it’s the heavyweights!