Day 3 and the last one for the 2022 IBSA Judo World Championships brought the teams’ competition, both for men and women.

In the women’s contest, Brazil, India, Turkey, Ukraine, and a selection of other judokas, named the IBSA team, fought in a round robin system, which crowned the Ukrainian national team as the new world champion. It was the third gold medal to arrive in Kyiv, following Anastasiia Harnyk (J1 +70 kg) and Davyd Khorava (J2 -60 kg).

The best home-made celebration couldn’t have been better in Baku. The Heydar Aliyev Arena held its breath in the final of the men’s teams’ competition. Two old friends, Azerbaijan and Turkey, met in the central tatami to discuss the world title.

Six categories in dispute started with the victory of Namig Abasli against Recep Ciftci (J2 -73kg). Anxiety gripped Baku’s main sports hall when Zakir Mislimov (J1 – 90 kg) defeated Yasin Cimciler.The 2-0 advantage put Azerbaijan very close to the title, but two victories in a row for Turkey balanced the score. Ibrahim Bolukbasi (J2 +90kg) and Gokce Yavuz (J1 -73kg) tied the final (2-2).

Paralympic champion Huseyn Rahimli (J2 – 90 kg) rescued the hosts’ hopes, and Ilham Zakiyev (J1 – 90 kg) sealed the deal and gave Azerbaijan the world champion title.

The next IBSA Judo World Championships will return in 2026!