Azerbaijan and surprise winners shine at Abu Dhabi Grand Slam

Abu Dhabi Grand Slam concludes with historic and surprise victories

The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam at the Mubadala Arena delivered headline results as Azerbaijan claimed a historic women’s Grand Slam gold and several athletes recorded breakthrough wins across weight categories. The event featured finals in multiple divisions with medals presented by senior International Judo Federation and IOC officials.

In the -48kg final Konul ALIYEVA of Azerbaijan defeated Merve AZAK of Turkiye to secure the first ever women’s Grand Slam gold for Azerbaijan, with Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation, awarding the medals. At -60kg Balabay AGHAYEV of Azerbaijan justified his top seeding by defeating Loiq KUDBUDINOV to claim gold by ippon, with Dr Laszlo TOTH, International Judo Federation Vice President, presenting the medals.

Tihea TOPOLOVEC of Croatia upset Olympic medalist Amandine BUCHARD to win the -52kg final with a waza ari and received her gold from IOC Member Balazs FÜRJES. In the -66kg final Sukhrob BOQIEV of Bahrain defeated Iago ABULADZE to take a surprise gold despite a low world ranking, with medals presented by International Judo Federation Vice President Obaid AL ANZI.

In the -57kg division Martha FAWAZ of France recorded her second Grand Slam title after scoring two waza ari, overturning Shirlen NASCIMENTO of Brazil; the medals were awarded by International Judo Federation Vice President Siteny RANDRIANASOLONIAIKO. The host nation also had notable action from Narmandakh BAYANMUNKH of the UAE. The competition sets the stage for the second day of the Grand Slam, continuing the high level of international judo on display.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The outcomes in Abu Dhabi underline both the consolidation of established contenders and the emergence of unexpected champions. Azerbaijan’s first women’s Grand Slam gold represents a milestone for that federation, while surprise victories such as Sukhrob BOQIEV’s demonstrate how individual performances can overturn ranking expectations. Multiple medal presentations by senior IJF and IOC figures reflect the event’s international significance and the strong institutional support behind the world tour.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Konul ALIYEVA secured Azerbaijan’s first ever women’s Grand Slam gold in the -48kg final.
• Balabay AGHAYEV won the -60kg final by ippon as the top seed.
• Tihea TOPOLOVEC defeated Amandine BUCHARD to claim her first Grand Slam gold in -52kg.
• Sukhrob BOQIEV produced a surprise gold in the -66kg final against Iago ABULADZE.
• Martha FAWAZ earned her second Grand Slam title in the -57kg division.
• Medals were presented by senior IJF and IOC officials at the Mubadala Arena.