Japan dominates Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam: Abe wins record 12th gold

Japan dominated the opening day of the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam 2026 on Thursday, securing four gold medals as the prestigious judo tournament got underway in Mongolia’s capital. ABE Uta made history with a record-breaking 12th Grand Slam title, while KOGA Wakana, TAKEOKA Takeshi, and OMORI Akari also claimed top honours. In a closely watched -60kg final, AGHAYEV Balabay defeated world champion NAGAYAMA Ryuju to add another gold to Japan’s tally .

The Grand Slam, held in Ulaanbaatar for the first time, marks a significant moment for judo in Central Asia and serves as a key qualification event for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Europe Strikes Gold as LA2028 Qualification Begins in Ulaanbaatar . The tournament’s inclusion in the Olympic qualification pathway has drawn heightened attention, with athletes from across the continent vying for early ranking points.

Meanwhile, in Doha, the Diamond League athletics circuit delivered standout performances on Friday. Davisleydi Velazco of Cuba leapt beyond 15 metres in the triple jump for the first time in two years, a feat not achieved since 2024. The result in Qatar underscored the depth of competition in the event, where Velazco’s winning mark set the tone for a programme that also featured strong showings in other disciplines .

Greek pole vaulter Emmanouil Karalis claimed victory in Doha with a clearance of 5.92 metres, despite three failed attempts at higher heights. His triumph came after two unsuccessful jumps at 6.02 metres and one at 6.07 metres, highlighting the razor-thin margins that separate success from near-misses in elite athletics .

Norwegian hurdler Amalie Iuel, competing in the same Diamond League meeting, admitted the pressure of chasing a long-standing personal best is taking its toll. The 32-year-old, who has come close to breaking a “magical barrier” on multiple occasions, described the pursuit as mentally taxing, reflecting the psychological demands faced by athletes pushing the boundaries of performance .

In Slovenia, sprinter Anej Čurin Prapotnik set a national record in the 100 metres at the national championships in Maribor, clocking 10.09 seconds to surpass the previous record held since 2007. The achievement marked a breakthrough moment for Slovenian sprinting and signalled the country’s growing competitiveness on the European athletics stage .