Omori and Tanaka win Japan's two judo world titles in Baku

Japan claimed two world titles on the third day of the 2026 World Judo Championships in Baku, with Omori and Ryuga Tanaka winning gold in their respective categories. Their victories came in closely fought finals and added two champions to Japan’s medal haul at the tournament.

Omori defeated reigning world champion Eteri Liparteliani in the women’s under-57kg final. The contest went into golden score before Omori took control on the ground, turning Liparteliani and holding her down to secure the title. She had also beaten fellow Japanese judoka Momo Tamaoki during the earlier rounds and showed strength both in standing exchanges and groundwork.

Tanaka won the men’s under-73kg division after overcoming the top seed on his route to the final and earning a waza-ari in the semi-final. His last opponent was Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov of the United Arab Emirates, the world number three and a previous world bronze medallist. The final was decided by a single score, as Tanaka used an o-uchi-gari to throw Makhmadbekov for yuko.

The results made Omori and Tanaka Japan’s two newly crowned world champions on the third competition day at the National Gymnastics Arena.