Who are the new judo stars of 2025

At the beginning of 2025, few would have predicted the shape of the world rankings twelve months later. The new Olympic cycle was expected to be dominated by familiar champions reasserting control. Instead, the IJF World Tour delivered one of its most refreshing narratives in years. A group of athletes, respected but rarely tipped as ranking leaders, pieced together seasons of remarkable consistency and composure to reach the summit of their weight categories. Their rise was not driven by a single explosive result, but by week after week of elite performance.

One of the clearest examples was Ayub Bliev. Known as a dangerous competitor but rarely labelled a favourite, Bliev transformed reliability into dominance. Throughout 2025, he became a constant presence in the latter stages of Grand Slams and Grand Prix events, collecting points through disciplined tactical judo and physical control. While others fluctuated between peaks and setbacks, Bliev kept accumulating results. By the end of the season, his position at the top of the rankings felt less like a surprise and more like a logical outcome of patience and precision.

Japan’s talent Dota Arai followed a similar path, albeit under a very different spotlight. In a system overflowing with depth, Arai had often been overshadowed by more established names. In 2025, that changed. She used the World Tour with intelligence, choosing moments carefully and converting opportunities into podium finishes with striking efficiency. Her rise to number one was not built on overwhelming dominance, but on composure and clarity in close contests, qualities that often decide ranking races.

For Kazakhstan, Abiba Abuzhakynova delivered one of the most complete seasons of her career. Long regarded as a threat at major events, she elevated her consistency in 2025, pairing sharp ashi waza with improved control in transition phases. Her results across Grand Slams and continental championships steadily pushed her upward, and by the time she reached the top of the rankings, it felt like a breakthrough years in the making rather than a sudden surge.

Another Japanese athlete who reshaped expectations was Haruka Kaju. Rarely mentioned among the headline stars at the start of the year, Kaju quietly built momentum through repeated deep runs on the World Tour. Her judo was defined by balance and timing, avoiding unnecessary risk while capitalising on small openings. In a year where volatility affected many established champions, Kaju’s calm approach proved decisive.

Europe contributed its own unexpected leaders. Croatia’s Lara Cvjetko turned consistency into a weapon, stringing together podium finishes that steadily reshaped her ranking position. Competing with growing confidence, she thrived in tightly contested draws and showed an ability to manage pressure late in tournaments. For a nation still building its depth in women’s judo, her rise to the top of the rankings carried symbolic weight as well as sporting significance.

Portugal’s Patrícia Sampaio delivered one of the most impressive seasons of all. Already respected as a strong competitor, she elevated her level in 2025 by winning when it mattered most and avoiding early exits. Her judo blended physical authority with improved tactical patience, allowing her to outlast opponents across demanding tournaments. Reaching number one was a milestone not only for her career, but for Portuguese judo as a whole.

South young Korea’s Hyeonji Lee completed the group of unexpected leaders. In a highly competitive domestic system, Lee used the international circuit to define her own space. Her rise was built on speed, sharp transitions and an ability to adapt quickly to different styles. As the season progressed, her name became a constant presence near the top of brackets, until the rankings finally reflected what her performances had already suggested.

What links all seven athletes is not surprise alone, but method. None relied on a single breakthrough tournament. Instead, they embraced the rhythm of the World Tour, respecting its demands and exploiting its structure. In a sport where reputation often dictates expectation, 2025 offered a reminder that consistency remains the most powerful currency of all.

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