Budapest Set for a Crucial Grand Slam Test

The Hungary Grand Slam 2026 will bring 546 expected judoka from 71 nations to Budapest’s Papp László Budapest Sportaréna from 11 to 13 September. With accreditation still ongoing, the entry lists point to a demanding three-day Judo event at a decisive stage of the season.

Hungary leads the host entries with 38 athletes registered, ahead of France with 22. Israel has 19 entries and Azerbaijan 18, while the Netherlands, Germany, Brazil and Ukraine each have 17 athletes registered. Those numbers set up a strong European presence, alongside a sizeable Brazilian team and competitors representing five continents.

A total of 37 athletes ranked in the world’s top ten are expected to compete. The -100 kg category stands out, led by Brazil’s world number one Leonardo Gonçalves. The Olympic team bronze medallist in Paris comes to Hungary after winning a Pan-American title and taking recent podium places in Astana and Lima.

Italy’s Gennaro Pirelli will be one of the biggest challenges in that division. Ranked world number two, Pirelli is this year’s European champion and has won the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam and Lima Grand Prix. Their meeting would place two athletes in excellent form at the centre of one of Budapest’s most anticipated categories.

The -100 kg contest could become one of the tournament’s defining battles.

European contenders feature prominently across the programme. Croatia’s Lara Cvjetko arrives at -70 kg as world number one and a double world silver medallist. Her season has included gold in Qingdao, bronze in Ulaanbaatar and third place at the Mediterranean Games.

Italy’s Odette Giuffrida is set to return to Grand Slam competition in the women’s -52 kg category. The world champion, double Olympic medallist and two-time European champion brings major experience to a division that will offer no easy route through the rounds. Israel’s Raz Hershko, world number two at +78 kg and an Olympic silver medallist in Paris, will also be a leading heavyweight contender with her powerful gripping, seoi-otoshi and endurance.

The tournament’s depth will be felt well beyond the headline names. The men’s -73 kg division is the largest category with 65 registered athletes, followed by -90 kg with 53 and -66 kg with 48. In fields of that size, even the opening contests can shape an athlete’s entire weekend.

Budapest is the last major chance to make an impact before the World Championships Baku 2026, which start three weeks later. For the established leaders, it is an opportunity to reinforce their position; for challengers, it is a chance to carry ranking points, confidence and a major result into the world championships.

Competition starts Friday with women’s -48 kg, -52 kg and -57 kg, plus men’s -60 kg and -66 kg. Saturday hosts women’s -63 kg and -70 kg and men’s -73 kg and -81 kg, before Sunday decides the remaining heavyweight medals. Final blocks are scheduled for 5pm each day.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation