The 2026 Lima Grand Prix brought together 296 judoka from 50 countries and five continents at the VIDENA Sports Complex from 14 to 16 August. The 14 weight categories ended with Brazil leading the medal table with five golds, one silver and five bronzes, alongside numerous first-time champions and historic results for Peru and Cyprus on the World Judo Tour.
Italy finished second with two golds, two silvers and four bronzes, followed by Moldova with two golds, two silvers and one bronze. Germany placed fourth with two titles and one third-place finish. Overall, 24 countries from four continents won at least one medal. The diversity of the podium accompanied the start of the qualification race for Los Angeles 2028, as the points available at each Grand Prix become increasingly important.
Brazil turn strength in depth into 11 medals
Brazil’s five gold medals came through Rafaela Rodrigues at -52 kg, Michel Augusto at -60 kg, David Lima at -81 kg, Rafael Macedo at -90 kg and Beatriz Souza at +78 kg. Nauana Silva added a silver at -70 kg, while Jessica Lima, Guilherme de Oliveira, Guilherme Schimidt, Leonardo Goncalves and Thauana Silva completed the total with five bronzes. Macedo successfully defended the title he won in Lima in 2025, while Augusto, Rodrigues and David Lima claimed their first gold medals at this level.
Souza’s victory marked the Olympic champion’s return to an international podium following a season without a World Judo Tour medal. The Brazilian had devoted part of the previous year to resting mentally and recovering from injuries. In Lima, she defeated Asya Tavano in the final to secure her first medal of the new Olympic cycle. “I’m very happy with this result; it proves the daily hard work is paying off as we build toward this new Olympic goal. After taking time off last year to rest mentally and recover from injuries, this comeback is all about progress,” she explained.
Eleven champions claim a first gold
Eleven of the 14 weight categories ended with a judoka winning a first Grand Prix or World Judo Tour gold. On the opening day, Assunta Scutto won at -48 kg on her return following surgery; Augusto prevailed at -60 kg; Rodrigues triumphed in her first senior World Judo Tour event; Radu Izvoreanu collected his first World Judo Tour title at -66 kg; and Pihla Salonen returned Finland to the top of the circuit three years after the country’s previous gold. “This was my first competition back after surgery, so I’m so happy to win this gold medal,” Scutto said.
All four champions on the second day also reached the top step of the World Judo Tour podium for the first time: Seiko Watanabe, Vlad Mitru, Dena Pohl and David Lima. Mitru arrived in Lima without an International Judo Federation -IJF- medal and left as the -73 kg champion. On the final day, Mathilda Niemeyer collected her first Grand Prix title and Giannis Antoniou delivered Cyprus’ first World Judo Tour gold. “I think this is the best result of my career and I feel really proud of all the hard work I’ve done to reach this point. Most importantly for me, this is a big step closer to Olympic qualification and this is my main dream,” Antoniou said after defeating Croatia’s Mikita Sviryd at +100 kg.
Peru record their best World Judo Tour result
The host team entered 19 judoka and achieved its best performance to date at a World Judo Tour event. Driulys Rivas won bronze at -52 kg, while Brillith Gamarra and Franco Baltazar finished fifth. All three reached the final block on the opening day, placing Peru alongside Brazil, USA and Italy as the only countries with at least three athletes competing for medals that day. Baltazar also produced one of the tournament’s most notable results by throwing Brazilian Olympic silver medallist Willian Lima for ippon.
The Peruvian Judo Federation and the IJF complemented the competition with meetings between athletes and spectators. Rivas, Gamarra and Baltazar took part in a session with children and supporters, while Jack Yonezuka, Brenda Olaya and Leonardo Goncalves did the same on the final day. The IJF highlighted the warm-up areas, movement routes within the venue, services for delegations and the work of volunteers. The institutional presence included Peruvian Olympic Committee President Renzo Manyari, national federation President María Martínez, International Olympic Committee -IOC- member Paula Pareto and Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee President Diane Henderson, who attended to learn more about the requirements for organising an international event. The calendar will continue with the Cadet World Championships in Guayaquil and the inaugural Lausanne Grand Slam.
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