Sep 13, 8:01 AM
Bureaucratic Ceremony Gives Way to Tactical Precision in Budapest
Day two of the Hungary Grand Slam saw middleweight crowns claimed by Japan, Azerbaijan, and Greece.
Budapest once again positioned itself at the center of international combat sport as the second day of the Hungary Grand Slam 2026 unfolded on the tatami. Before the athletic drama took over, the obligatory apparatus of sports diplomacy had its moment under the venue lights. Official speeches by International Judo Federation Secretary General Lisa Allan, Hungarian State Secretary for Sport Attila Kálnoki-Kiss, and Hungarian Judo Association President Krisztián Tóth opened the proceedings, satisfying ceremonial protocol before the real focus shifted to the middleweight categories.
The athletic action quickly stripped away the administrative theater. In the men's -73kg category, Sweden's Narek Vardanian found himself on the receiving end of a decisive execution. Rashid Mammadaliyev of Azerbaijan delivered a perfectly timed Seoi nage, scoring an Ippon that left no room for debate and earned Mammadaliyev his first Grand Slam gold medal. Following the victory, Lisa Allan returned to the mat, this time to present the medals.
Slovenia’s representative in the women’s -63kg division, Kaja Kajzer Zabkar, demonstrated tactical discipline but ultimately fell just short against Japan’s Megu Danno. In a tightly contested final, a single yuko score was enough for Danno to capture her second Grand Slam gold medal in merely four world tour appearances. Attila Kálnoki-Kiss personally awarded the hardware, highlighting the host nation's stage for elite performance.
The women’s -70kg category belonged entirely to Elisavet Teltsidou of Greece. Following an aggressive sweep through the preliminary rounds where she appeared virtually unassailable, Teltsidou executed her final game plan without hesitation. A waza-ari score seamlessly converted into a hold down secured her fifth Grand Slam gold medal. IJF Vice President Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko conferred the awards in a division completely dominated by the Greek athlete.
Japan’s dominance in technical execution returned in the men’s -81kg final, where Yoshito Hojo was forced into extended time. Entering golden score, Hojo relied on precise technical discipline to break the deadlock and claim his second Grand Slam gold medal, awarded by IJF Vice President Obaid Al Anzi. With the middleweights decided and the podiums cleared, attention turns toward the heavyweights for the third day of competition in the Hungarian capital.
Written by Sandy van Dongen sandy.vandongen@alpineweekly.com
