Arbuzov and Haruka become world champions for the first time: results of Day 4 at the 2025 Judo World Championships

On June 16, the fourth day of competition took place at the 2025 Judo World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Medals were awarded in the men's -81 kg and women's -63 kg categories.

25-year-old Kazu Haruka won Japan’s fourth gold of the tournament and claimed her first-ever world title. In the final, she defeated Olympic medalist Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard from Canada.

In the men’s -81 kg category, the winner was Timur Arbuzov, who secured Russia’s first gold of this championship. In the final, he defeated three-time world champion Tato Grigalashvili of Georgia. For Arbuzov, this was his first world gold, having previously won silver and bronze medals.

A notable upset of the day came when double Olympic and world champion Takanori Nagase lost in the first round (round of 32). The Japanese judoka was defeated by Arslonbek Tojiev of Uzbekistan, who eventually finished fifth.

2025 Judo World Championships – June 16 results
Men -81 kg:

1. Timur Arbuzov (Russia)

2. Tato Grigalashvili (Georgia)

3. Zelim Tckaev (Azerbaijan) & Junhwan Lee (South Korea)

Women -57 kg:

1. Kazu Haruka (Japan)

2. Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard (Canada)

3. Laura Fazliu (Kosovo) & Gankhaich Bold (Mongolia)

After four days of competition, Japan leads the medal table with 4 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals. France, Georgia, Russia, and Italy each have one gold medal.

Tomorrow, June 17, medals will be contested in the men’s -90 kg and women’s -70 kg categories.