Five out of five for Japan at opening day in Baku

The winner of the Grand Slam in Baku U57kg was the experienced Momo Tamaoki. In the last final of the day saw Japan once again prevail thanks to the talent of its athletes, who have clearly already integrated the new rules very well.

The other finalist was Ayami Takayo is rather a newcomer, since to date, she has only won one bronze medal in a grand prix and it was in Portugal in 2024. Things were therefore ready to change.
Tamaoki can boast an already well-stocked prize list, since before the Baku Grand Slam, she already had 12 grand slam medals to her name, not to mention a junior world title in 2014.
The final, between two judoka who know each other perfectly, offered a tactical win to Momo Tamaoki, after her teammate and opponent was penalised a third time in golden score. This is gold medal number five for Japan on day one of the Baku Grand Slam.
Behind the two Japanese were judoka known on the world circuit. In the first bronze medal contest, it was Veronica Toniolo (ITA), who defeated number 1 seed Eteri Liparteliani (GEO) in the repechage final, and Marica Perisic (SRB) who earned a place in the final block. The medal went to Serbia after a tactical win from Marica Perisic.
Seija Ballhaus qualified for the second match for a bronze medal against the Brazilian Jessica Lima. Despite having scored a waza-ari, Lima couldn't resist the pressure and was penalised three times offering the medal to Seija Ballhaus.