Golden Score grit and home-roar finishes: Europe leaves Tbilisi on a high

The Tbilisi Grand Slam 2026 didn’t just end— it landed like a warning shot ahead of the Senior European Judo Championships Tbilisi 2026 (16–19 April). Across Sunday’s final block, Europe’s judoka looked sharp and deep, turning tight contests into big moments when it mattered most.

In -90 kg, Georgia were guaranteed a medal even before the final. Luka Javakhishvili edged an all-Georgian bronze match against Akaki Japaridze with a clean Seoi-nage for Waza-ari. The final brought a heavyweight European clash: Luka Maisuradze versus Nemanja Majdov. Shido penalties built the tension, and after a second Shido went to Majdov, the bout moved into golden score. The breakthrough came in transition as Maisuradze struck with O-uchi-gari for yuko to seal gold and lift the arena.

The crowd didn’t just watch the finish—they powered it.

At -78 kg, Yuliia Kurchenko stayed in form, scoring yuko with Ko-soto-gake against Emma Reid and managing the rest of the contest. Milica Žabić, dropping down from +78 kg, grabbed bronze versus Metka Lobnik with Seoi-otoshi. The final itself took an unexpected turn: Audrey Tcheuméo was awarded the title after Alina Boehm was unable to compete, giving Tcheuméo her 10th Grand Slam victory—another chapter in a career defined by staying power.

In -100 kg, Simeon Catharina salvaged bronze for the Netherlands in style. He opened with Seoi-otoshi for Waza-ari, absorbed a response, then produced a late counter for Ippon against Darko Brašnjović. Gold went to Idar Bifov after an all-Russian final that stretched into golden score, where Sumi-gaeshi made the difference.

With April coming fast, Europe’s depth is starting to feel intimidating.

The +78 kg category was an all-European medal sweep. Asya Tavano controlled her bronze match after scoring early with Maki-komi, while Célia Cancan claimed her first Grand Slam medal by forcing a submission in ne-waza. In the final, Lea Fontaine led with Waza-ari via O-uchi-gari, but Raz Hershko flipped the story late, landing O-soto-otoshi for Ippon.

Then came the host’s closing statement at +100 kg: Irakli Demetrashvili fired in Uchi-mata to score Ippon against Losseni Kone and end the tournament with the loudest moment of the day. With 14 categories, 56 medals and 386 judoka from all five continents, Europe walked away from Tbilisi with 48 medals—and a clear sense that the next return to this city will be even more intense.

Source: EJU_News