The flags have come down, the medals have been awarded and the champions of the 2025 World and Continental Judo Championships have topped the podiums.
But if you think that means the judo season is winding down, think again. The World Judo Tour doesn’t rest, and neither do its stars.
Next stop: Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam, from 25-27 July.
Set against the backdrop of Mongolia’s capital city and centuries-old wrestling heritage, Ulaanbaatar is a place where combat sports run deep in the bones of the culture. Judo, the modern cousin to traditional wrestling, has flourished on that foundation.
The judo calendar kicks into its second wind. From now until the end of the year, fans can look forward to three Grand Slams and four Grands Prix, criss-crossing five continents, each one offering valuable world ranking points.
For context, the points matter. Grand Slam events offer the most world ranking points, followed by the Grands Prix, then continental opens, and so on. That means each outing can shift the landscape of judo’s elite, as well as rankings that can influence future draw sheets.
Some familiar cities return to the spotlight. Zagreb, a beloved annual stop, is back with its Grand Prix in November. Tokyo, the spiritual heartland of the sport, will once again close the year with its Grand Slam spectacle, often attracting the very best from around the world for one final event.
But there are also fresh names on the map. The tour returns to Qingdao, host of the 2019 World Masters, while Guadalajara and Lima step into the Grand Prix circuit for the first time. Both have pedigree; Guadalajara hosted the Pan American Championships, Lima the 2024 Cadet Worlds, and now get their shot on the global stage.
And it’s not just the senior tour that’s keeping busy. The next generation of champions will take centre stage at the Cadet and Junior World Championships, each culminating in their respective mixed team events. These competitions are worth tuning in to, as they often reveal the stars of tomorrow, and sometimes, of today.
So, who’s rising? Who’s returning? Who’s chasing glory as the clock ticks toward the end of the year?
Read on Olympics.com to discover the big names heading to Ulaanbaatar, and how you can catch all the action from now until the final ippon of 2025.