Asian judoka are set for another important international test this week as the Hungary Grand Slam 2026 brings together more than 500 athletes from around the world in Budapest from 11 to 13 September.
The event, staged at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna, comes at a particularly important point in the international calendar. The World Judo Championships in Baku begin on 4 October, making Budapest the final major IJF World Judo Tour event before the global championships.
For the Judo Union of Asia (JUA), the competition will provide another opportunity to assess the form and depth of Asian athletes ahead of a busy period that also includes the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 later this month.
Nine Asian Nations Entered
According to the latest IJF entry list, 54 judoka from nine JUA member nations are registered for the Hungary Grand Slam. The Asian contingent includes athletes from Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, together with another Asian federation listed through the IJF entry system.
Japan has entered 11 athletes, while Kazakhstan is bringing a 12-member team and Mongolia has 10 judoka on the current list. Uzbekistan has six entries, Vietnam seven, Tajikistan four, with further representation from Kyrgyzstan and Thailand.
Kazakhstan confirmed its Budapest squad this week, naming ten men and two women across a wide range of weight categories. The men’s team includes competitors from -60 kg through -100 kg, while Diana Burkeeva is entered at -48 kg and Akerke Ramazanova at +78 kg.
The size and diversity of the Asian entry underline the importance of Budapest not only for established medal contenders but also for younger athletes seeking valuable experience against elite international opposition.
Deep International Field
The IJF described the Budapest field as one of the deepest of the season, with athletes entered from around 70 countries and all major continental unions represented. The final accreditation list remains subject to change, but the federation reported that 37 athletes ranked inside the world top ten in their respective categories were expected to compete.
Competition begins on Friday with the women’s -48 kg, -52 kg and -57 kg categories and the men’s -60 kg and -66 kg divisions.
Saturday will feature the women’s -63 kg and -70 kg categories together with the men’s -73 kg and -81 kg divisions, while Sunday concludes with the women’s -78 kg and +78 kg categories and the men’s -90 kg, -100 kg and +100 kg divisions.
This schedule offers Asian teams an opportunity to test athletes across the full Olympic weight programme just weeks before the World Championships.
Important Preparation for a Major Autumn of Asian Judo
The timing of the Hungary Grand Slam is especially significant for Asian federations.
Following Budapest, attention will quickly turn towards Aichi-Nagoya 2026, where the Asian Games judo competition will take place from 30 September to 3 October. The IJF currently lists more than 200 judoka from over 30 Asian nations for the continental multi-sport event.
Only one day after the Asian Games mixed team competition concludes, the World Championships in Baku are scheduled to begin.
That unusually concentrated calendar means coaches and national federations must carefully manage athlete selection, recovery and competitive preparation.
For some judoka, Budapest will be an opportunity to build confidence and secure another major international result. For others, it may provide a final chance to test tactics and competition readiness before the season’s most important championships.
Asia Remains a Major Force on the World Judo Tour
Asian judoka have already played a prominent role throughout the 2026 IJF season, with major World Judo Tour events held in Tashkent, Dushanbe, Astana, Ulaanbaatar and Qingdao, alongside strong Asian performances at tournaments in Europe and elsewhere.
The Hungary Grand Slam therefore represents another important stage in a season in which Asian judo continues to demonstrate both competitive strength and geographic depth.
The Judo Union of Asia wishes all participating Asian athletes, coaches and national federations every success in Budapest as they continue their preparations for the Asian Games and World Championships.
Judo Beyond Competition
For the Judo Union of Asia, the tragedy in Nepal is a powerful reminder that the Asian judo community extends far beyond competition results and medals.
Judo has played an important educational and social role in many communities across Asia, including regions where young people face economic, geographic or environmental challenges. In moments of crisis, the values of mutual welfare, respect and solidarity become especially meaningful.
As rescue and relief operations continue, the thoughts of the Asian judo family remain with the judoka, coaches, families and communities affected by the disaster.
The Judo Union of Asia stands in solidarity with the Nepal Judo Federation and all those working to support the recovery of Nepal’s judo community.
Source and Image: IJF