Koga and Yusifov Win Gold at Baku World Judo Championships

Japan's Wakana Koga and Azerbaijan's Ahmad Yusifov won gold medals on the opening day of the 2026 Baku World Judo Championships, Euronews and Inside The Games reported. Koga secured her first world title in the women's under 48 kilogram category by defeating Italy's Assunta Scutto in the final. Scutto reached the World Championship final for the third consecutive time before taking the silver medal. [1][8]

In the men's under 60 kilogram division, home favourite Ahmad Yusifov came from behind to defeat Sherzod Davlatov, according to Euronews. The victory earned Azerbaijan an opening day gold medal in front of the local crowd in Baku. [1][8]

Japan also picked up additional success at the tournament as Ryuga Tanaka and Akari Omori won gold medals in their World Judo debuts, according to nippon.com. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Tanaka won gold in the men's under 73 kilogram division, while Omori captured her first world title in the women's under 57 kilogram class. [2][11]

A world championship is an international competition open to elite competitors representing their nations, with victory considered among the highest achievements in sport. Winners at the Baku World Judo Championships earn red back patches for their judogi. [1][10]