The Emirates News Agency reported that Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko defeated Kaila Issoufi in the final at the World Judo Championships in Azerbaijan. Lytvynenko scored waza-ari early with an o-uchi-gari throw that caught her opponent off guard before ending the contest with a second decisive score. The bout capped a day in which the world number two from the UAE advanced through a competitive draw with strong technical displays.
Euronews reported that the result marked the UAE’s first gold medal in the history of the senior world championships. International Judo Federation coverage noted that Lytvynenko imposed her game plan immediately and left Issoufi unable to recover. IOC Member Filomena Fortes awarded the medals in the ceremony that followed the final.
Lytvynenko said, “Amazing, I don’t have words, I want to cry, because I’m very happy.” The athlete’s reaction came in the immediate aftermath of a victory that elevated UAE judo on the global stage. Her path to the title included several high-level matches that tested her tactical adaptability.
A review of past championships by the International Judo Federation shows the UAE had not previously secured an individual senior world title. The country earned a bronze medal at the 2025 Judo Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi, indicating steady progress in the sport. This gold in Baku arrives as the championships, running from October 4 to 11, draw more than 100 nations competing for medals and qualification points toward future Olympic cycles.
The International Judo Federation detailed that several established names exited earlier than anticipated across weight classes, opening opportunities for emerging talents like Lytvynenko. Organizers highlighted the quality of competition in Baku, where home athletes from Azerbaijan also achieved strong results including a gold in the men’s -60kg. Additional days of competition will see further individual and team events conclude the program.
UAE sports officials have noted the win as part of broader development initiatives in combat sports. The Emirates Judo Federation has supported athlete training camps and international exposure in recent years. Lytvynenko’s success is expected to feature in national reviews of Olympic preparation strategies.
