Abu Dhabi is once again at the centre of the international judo community as it hosts the Judo World Tour for the sixteenth consecutive year, welcoming 398 athletes from 53 countries, including several Olympic champions, for the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.
This year’s event, running over three days from 28 November, marks a dramatic rise in participation. Athlete numbers have increased by 81.7 percent compared to last year’s post-Paris Olympics edition, which gathered 219 competitors from 29 nations.
One of the standout stories from last year’s Grand Slam was the exceptional performance of the IJF Refugee Team. In the absence of many Olympic judoka, the team secured five gold medals and topped the medal table ahead of traditional powerhouses such as the Netherlands, France, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates.
Distria Krasniqi of Kosovo – Olympic gold medalist
The 2025 field, however, is considerably stronger. Olympic and world medallists including Anna Oleka, Joanne van Lieshout, Distria Krasniqi, Abiba Abuzhakynova, Alice Bellandi, Ushangi Kokauri, Rafael Macedo, and Hidayat Heydarov are all set to compete, promising a more competitive and engaging tournament.
Japan has taken a conservative approach this year, entering only seven young women in Abu Dhabi. This comes despite Japanese judokas currently leading the IJF men’s world rankings in the 60 kg, 66 kg, 73 kg, and 90 kg categories.
Hidayat Heydarov of Azerbaidjan – Olympic gold medalist
Another notable development is the presence of 22 athletes competing under the IJF flag. The team includes established names such as Sabrina Giliazovs, Denis Batchaev, and Arman Adamian, all holders of World Championship or Grand Slam medals.
Abu Dhabi has been a steadfast host to the international judo family since staging its first Grand Prix in 2009. The event has grown in scale and prestige, evolving into a Grand Slam. The United Arab Emirates has also hosted multiple world championships. As the 2025 edition gets underway, Abu Dhabi continues to reinforce its status as a cornerstone of the global judo calendar.
