Sports Bulletin Report
Lima (Peru): Japan closed the first day at the top of the medal table but the performances from Brazil, Georgia and Uzbekistan confirmed that the competition remains fierce and global. The passion of Lima’s crowd and the energy of these young judoka promise three more days of exceptional action and perhaps a glimpse of future Olympic champions in the making.
The first competitors at the 2025 World Junior Championships in Lima, Peru, had to rise early, very early in fact, as the opening contests of the tournament began at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Yet, the early start did little to faze them. Focused, prepared and hungry for success, nothing could stop these young judoka from setting off in pursuit of a world medal.
From the very first bouts, the tone was set. There would be action, commitment and passion on full display on the tatami of the Coliseo Eduardo Dibós, and that’s exactly what unfolded. In an atmosphere worthy of the sport’s greatest stages, the junior athletes gave everything to advance through the rounds and keep their dreams alive.
For many of the judoka, this was far from their first major test. A large number have already experienced the pressure of continental and international events and some are even regulars on the World Judo Tour. The very best among them, such as Tara Babulfath (SWE), have already earned medals on the senior world and Olympic stages. During the next three days, we will also see 27 judoka who have no record whatsoever on the international scene. The Lima worlds will be their very first competition at this level and, let's be honest, that must be something!
The level of judo was therefore exceptionally high on day one, as athletes from around the globe brought their energy, precision and spirit to Peru. This opening day confirmed once again that the juniors are not only the future of the sport, they are already shaping its present.
Results (day-1):
48 kg, Sachiyo Yoshino (JPN) struck gold after an impressive performance, defeating Aitana Diaz Hernandez (ESP) in the final. Morgane Annis (FRA) and Laziza Haydarova (UZB) completed the podium with bronze medals.
60 kg, Japan dominated once again, as Retsu Matsunaga took the title ahead of compatriot Yusei Adachi in an all-Japanese final. The bronze medals went to Jonathan Yang (USA) and Samariddin Kuchkarov (UZB).
52 kg, Nicole Marques (BRA) claimed a magnificent world title for Brazil after a tense golden score win against Leomaris Ruiz (VEN). Tabea Nika Mecklenburg (GER) and Hako Fukunaga (JPN) secured bronze.
66 kg category saw a stunning triumph for Tornike Gigauri (GEO), who overturned a score deficit to produce a spectacular ippon in the final against Abdullakh Parchiev (IJF). Bronze medals went to Shuntaro Fukuchi (JPN) and Mahammad Musayev (AZE).
57 kg, Mio Shirakane (JPN) capped Japan’s golden day, winning by hold-down against Dana Abdirova (KAZ). The bronze medal position was shared by Gyovanna Andrade (BRA) and Asuka Ueno (JPN).
57 kg category brought a dynamic mix of skill, strategy and surprises, with both Japan and Kazakhstan taking control of the field, ultimately. Brazil began the day with high hopes for its two strong representatives, Gyovanna Andrade and Bianca Reis. Both advanced confidently to the semi-finals, where Andrade faced Dana Abdirova (KAZ) and Reis met Mio Shirakane (JPN).
