Japan has reclaimed its position at the top of world judo after defeating Russia in the mixed team final at the 2026 World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, on October 11. The victory delivered Japan its eighth gold medal in the mixed team event, reaffirming the country’s strength in international judo.
Japan won the final 4–1, with victories from Shiho Tanaka, Sanshiro Murao, Mao Arai and Akari Omori helping secure the championship. The result marked a successful conclusion to the tournament for the Japanese team.
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Japan Dominates the Mixed Team Final
The final against Russia featured closely contested bouts, with both teams demonstrating technical skill and determination.
Shiho Tanaka opened the scoring for Japan by defeating Madina Taimazova in golden score. Sanshiro Murao then extended Japan’s advantage with a victory over Egor Andoni, followed by Mao Arai’s win to put the Japanese team firmly in control.
Russia earned a point through heavyweight judoka Tamerlan Bashaev, who defeated Kenta Nakano. However, Akari Omori secured the decisive victory against Irina Zueva, confirming Japan’s championship triumph.
Eighth Gold Medal in Mixed Team History
The mixed team event has been part of the World Judo Championships since 2017, bringing together male and female judoka from different weight categories to compete as one national team.
Japan has established a strong record in the competition, and its latest victory marked its eighth gold medal in the event. The result also represented a return to the top after Japan lost the mixed team final at the previous championships.
The format places a premium on team depth, tactical choices and the ability of athletes to perform under pressure. Every bout can influence the overall result, making the mixed team contest a distinctive test of national strength.
Japan progressed through a challenging knockout schedule before facing Russia for the title.
The team defeated host nation Azerbaijan in the second round, overcame Mongolia in the quarterfinals and beat China in the semifinals. These victories set up the final against a Russian side that reached the mixed team championship match for the first time.
Japan’s balanced performances across weight categories proved crucial throughout the competition, allowing the team to build momentum ahead of the final.
Baku Hosts a High-Stakes Championship Finale
The mixed team competition brought the 2026 World Judo Championships in Baku to a dramatic close. The final session featured several medal contests and highlighted the importance of cooperation alongside individual skill.
Russia took silver after its run to the final, while Uzbekistan and Georgia secured bronze medals. The results showcased the depth of international competition and the growing prominence of mixed team judo.
The next World Judo Championships are scheduled to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, in June 2027.
Japan reclaimed the mixed team world title after missing out on gold at the previous championships.
The victory added another milestone to Japan’s record in the mixed team event, which began at the World Championships in 2017.
3. Teamwork Across Weight Categories
The final demonstrated how coordinated performances from athletes in different categories can determine the outcome of a team competition.
4. Momentum for International Judo
The Baku championship highlighted the continued competitiveness of leading judo nations and the excitement surrounding mixed team events.
Japan’s 4–1 victory over Russia in Baku secured its eighth mixed team gold at the World Judo Championships and restored the country to the top of the podium. With decisive contributions from Shiho Tanaka, Sanshiro Murao, Mao Arai and Akari Omori, the team demonstrated the depth and technical quality that have made Japan a major force in the sport.
The triumph provides a memorable finish to the 2026 championships and sets the stage for the next international showdown in Kazakhstan in 2027.
