From 17 to 19 October 2025, the city of Guadalajara in Mexico welcomed the world’s judo elite as the final stop of a major sequence on the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Tour: the 2025 Judo Grand Prix Guadalajara.
Set in the sporting venue of the Unidad Deportiva López Mateos, Guadalajara embraced both the culture and competitive spirit of judo — with 231 athletes from 33 nations entered, across 14 weight-classes (seven men’s, seven women’s). The event kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony that highlighted Mexico’s heritage, the significance of the sport and the global judo community gathered in Jalisco.
Competition Highlights & Storylines
From the very first day, the tournament delivered high-power judo and compelling narratives. On Day 1 the action included standout performances like Maria Celia Laborde of the USA in the −48 kg category claiming gold, and Azerbaijan’s Balabay Aghayev taking the −60 kg title in dramatic fashion with a late attack.
The middle days saw dominant world-class figures reaffirming status: in −63 kg women’s category, Haruka Kaju of Japan blitzed through pin-downs and groundwork to confirm her dominance.
On the heavier categories the intensity peaked. On the final day, men’s +100 kg and women’s +78 kg saw top athletes battling for prestige — world-rankings were shaken, and judo resilience was on display.
The host nation, Mexico, once again proved its capacity to host world-level judo: the crowd, the organisation and the atmosphere were all praised in official IJF commentary.
Key Results & Medal Table Snapshot
While full results across all weight classes can be found via the official IJF competition page (see link below), here is a summary of national-level outcomes and notable winners:
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Azerbaijan topped the medal ranking at this Grand Prix edition.
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Japan and Brazil maintained strong showings, with Japan claiming several golds and Brazil delivering multiple podium finishes.
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Individual standout performances included Kaju (JPN) in −63 kg, Aghayev (AZE) in −60 kg, and other heavy-weight winners such as Ushangi Kokauri (AZE) who stunned in +100 kg.
For full results and detailed draws, see the official IJF results page Guadalajara Grand Prix 2025 / IJF.org.
What It Means for the Judo Scene
This Grand Prix in Guadalajara marked a significant moment in the 2025 season: following the earlier stop in Lima, Colombia and other regional events, Guadalajara served as a final major test on the Pan-American leg of the IJF World Tour.
For many judoka the competition offered crucial world-ranking points, seeding implications, and momentum heading into the final months of the year and the Olympics qualifying window. The venue and atmosphere also underscored judo’s expanding global footprint — Mexico, historically a strong host in judo, reinforced its role.
Tactically, the tournament displayed refined judo: not only big throws and ippons, but also strategic groundwork and gripping battles reflecting the evolving technical depth of the sport. Coaches and athletes will no doubt review the footage, draw insights and prepare for next challenges.
Swedish Perspective – The Performance of Ida Eriksson & Team
From the Swedish viewpoint, one of the central figures in Guadalajara was Ida Eriksson, competing in the −70 kg category. Eriksson faced a strong field, and although she did not reach the podium this time, her performance remains significant for Swedish judo progress. According to result sheets she placed in the top-8 zone (finishing 7th in her category) after battles at the later stages.
Eriksson’s presence in the Grand Prix final block underscores that Sweden’s female –70 kg cadre is making international inroads. While a medal eluded her on this occasion, the experience of contesting at this level, the exposure to the high-intensity environment and the matches themselves provide a valuable platform.
For the broader Swedish judo team, Guadalajara offered both inspiration and insights. The fact that Swedish representation was present and competitive affirms the nation’s ambition in the sport. Moving forward, key questions for the Swedish federation will include: how to convert top-8 finishes into podiums, how to deepen the athlete pool across weight classes, and how to leverage competitions such as Guadalajara for development and growth.
In short: while a gold medal did not land on Swedish soil this time, Ida Eriksson’s campaign represents momentum — and there is a clear platform on which to build.
Final Word
The 2025 Judo Grand Prix Guadalajara delivered a compelling and high-quality competitive spectacle: world-class athletes, rich cultural setting, intense matches and meaningful outcomes. For the global judo community it offered another major chapter in the season; for Swedish judo it provided both a benchmark and a springboard. With the road to the next major championships still ahead, the lessons from Guadalajara will resonate.
Photo: (c) Kulumbegashvili Tamara – ijfg.org.
For full results and draws Guadalajara Grand Prix 2025 / IJF.org.
Mexico Welcomes the World of Judo / IJF.org
Mexico Opens Its Heart to the World of Judo / IJF.org
Fire and Focus in Guadalajara / IJF.org
Guadalajara Closes a Magnificent Chapter of Judo / IJF.org
The Guadalajara Grand Prix 2025: Judo Returns to Mexico with a Thrilling Start | Euronews
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