Europe’s seeded contenders add bite to Dushanbe showdown

The IJF World Judo Tour heads to Dushanbe for its next stop, with the Dushanbe Grand Slam 2026 set for 1–3 May. The draw has now confirmed a field of 240 judoka from 34 nations.

Coming so soon after the continental championships, the event does not include every major star. Even so, the tournament still carries plenty of weight, with several categories offering serious depth and a real chance for athletes to build momentum quickly.

Europe has a clear presence in the seeding. Six of the 14 top seeds come from the continent, a sign that European judoka remain heavily involved even in this busy stretch of the season. Ayub Bliev leads the -60kg, Theodoros Tselidis tops the -90kg, and Ushangi Kokauri arrives as the number one seed in the +100kg division.

The women’s side is just as interesting from a European angle. Odette Giuffrida heads the -52kg field, Ida Eriksson is seeded first at -70kg, and Asya Tavano leads the +78kg category. It gives Europe strong representation across very different divisions and styles.

For Italy, the challenge is especially demanding. The team had little time to reset after competing in Tbilisi less than two weeks ago, yet it returns with major names and fresh expectations. Giuffrida and Tavano are both in positions to push deep into the tournament again.

Several European seeds arrive with real momentum.

Another key name is Michaela Polleres in -70kg. The Austrian double Olympic medallist adds even more quality to one of the most competitive women’s classes in Dushanbe.

Host nation Tajikistan, meanwhile, brings a 40-athlete delegation and owns four of the remaining top seeds in the men’s events. After finishing first in the 2025 medal table, the home team will try to make another statement, while Azerbaijan and France return with recent success of their own.

That mix should make Dushanbe a sharp test from the opening day. Even without every headline name, there is more than enough here to keep attention locked on the tatami.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union