Babaicenko controls the -90 kg story in Gran Canaria

Tajus Babaicenko was the clear reference point in the -90 kg division in Gran Canaria, and the Lithuanian lived up to that status on the judo stage. Entering the championship with a strong record already behind him, he arrived as the athlete many were watching before the draw had even fully unfolded.

His recent results explained why. Babaicenko had already collected bronze at both Cadet European and Cadet World level, added the EYOF 2025 title, and won Junior European Cup gold in 2026. That combination of consistency and big-event success made him the favourite, but favourites still have to handle the pressure once the contest starts.

He did that in convincing fashion. Across three contests on the way to the final, Babaicenko spent less than eight minutes on the tatami. It was an efficient, composed run, and just as important, it looked controlled from start to finish. There was no sense of panic or unnecessary risk, only the kind of clean, clinical work that keeps opponents from building momentum.

Babaicenko looked in command from his first step onto the tatami.

For Lithuanian judo, it was another reminder of how quickly Babaicenko is building his standing in this age group. Reputation can be a heavy thing to carry at a championship, especially when everyone expects domination rather than simply a result. In Gran Canaria, he did not seem burdened by that expectation. He seemed sharpened by it.

Waiting in the final was Omar Akhundov of Azerbaijan, another athlete who had put together three wins to reach the gold medal contest. His path to the final showed determination, even if his résumé coming in was more modest, with two Cadet European Cup medals earned earlier this season.

That set up an interesting contrast. Babaicenko brought the bigger list of achievements and the stronger pre-event profile, while Akhundov arrived with momentum and the kind of belief Azerbaijan’s judoka are often known for. On paper, it looked like a huge challenge for Akhundov, but the history between the two athletes gave the final extra tension.

This was their third meeting. The first had lasted only 20 seconds, a sign of just how quickly a contest between them could swing. The second went much deeper into the match, close to full time, suggesting that Akhundov had been adjusting and improving with each encounter.

Their third clash carried more tension than the numbers alone could show.

That made the final feel bigger than a simple favourite-versus-challenger storyline. It was also the next step in a rivalry that had already shown two very different shapes. For Babaicenko, the moment was about confirming his place at the top of the category. For Akhundov, it was the chance to test how far that progress could go against the division’s biggest name.

Gran Canaria had its headline in -90 kg before the day even began, and Babaicenko made sure it stayed that way. The Lithuanian did not just reach the final; he reinforced the idea that in this category, everyone else is still trying to catch him.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union