Japan defeats Russia to win mixed team gold at World Judo

What happened: Japan beat Russia 4-1 in the mixed team final at the 2026 World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the final day of the event. Key numbers: 4-1 final score. Japan's eighth gold in the mixed team event, held since 2017. Next championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, in June 2027. Why it matters: Japan had won the event seven times in a row before losing the final at the previous championships, so this result restores its title.

Japan beat Russia 4-1 in the mixed team final at the 2026 World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the final day of the event.

Japan had won the event seven times in a row before losing the final at the previous championships, so this result restores its title.