00:00Welcome to Baku, Azerbaijan, where new legends will rise to claim their red backpatches as world champion at the Baku
00:08World Judo Championships 2026.
00:11At under 48 kilograms, Italy's Asunta Scuto claimed her place in the final for the third time in a row.
00:18The defending world champion showed impressive judo all morning.
00:22Could she take gold for a second time?
00:26Meeting her there was Japan's Koga Wakana.
00:30The Japanese judoka was in fantastic form, with high-quality judo throughout the day.
00:36Koga already has a world bronze and silver.
00:40Would this be the year to claim the missing gold?
00:44With every contest, she looked increasingly assured, carrying real momentum into the final.
00:54In the gold medal match, the two experienced judoka clashed.
00:58It was a tightly-fought contest, with neither athlete giving much away, before Koga seized her opportunity on the ground.
01:06Calm under pressure, she converted the moment decisively, to bring the contest to an emphatic close.
01:13It was Koga, who walked away, crowned the new world champion.
01:18A breakthrough moment for the Japanese star.
01:22The great spirit from the fans, the energy that was coming in, came into me, and I managed to achieve
01:27better because of the support from the fans in the arena.
01:31Azerbaijan NOC Secretary General, Mr. Azer Aliyev, awarded the medals.
01:40In the under-60kg, Ahmad Yusifov secured his first time in a world final, here, in his home nation.
01:47An impressive feat for the local favourite, who was looking to claim the red backpatch.
01:52With the Baku crowd firmly behind him, the stage was set for a huge home final.
01:59Facing him was Kazakhstan's Shersod Davlatov.
02:02Also in his first world final, would Davlatov spoil the home party and secure himself a place in history?
02:11The Kazakh had looked composed and dangerous throughout the day.
02:17But it was Yusifov who rose to the occasion, in front of his passionate home crowd, to claim victory.
02:24With the pressure at its highest, Yusifov came from a score down, sparking huge celebrations, and creating what is sure
02:32to be one of the standout moments of this world championships.
02:36International Judo Federation Executive Committee member, Mr. Timur Kemmel, awarded the medals.
02:43There are always good things in my mind.
02:46I would not have lost a contest in front of this audience here.
02:50And now, I'm feeling great.
02:53What an incredible first day here in Baku.
02:56Join us tomorrow, in the Land of Fire.
02:59East pole back in high school in public leisure.
02:59There are a few short minutes from now on the behalf of risk Tomb Ra complex.
02:59Always clear the wake up to the moment, just hearing loss of the șсе and the creation of a project
03:00that we shot on top of this.
