Jonathan Yang Leads Team Hatashita Sports at the 2026 World Judo Championships

Baku, Azerbaijan | October 4–10, 2026

Ten Hatashita Sports athletes represented Team USA at the 2026 World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, competing against the world's best on one of judo's biggest stages.

For the American team, the championships brought a historic breakthrough, important victories and some difficult results. While the team finished without a medal, Jonathan Yang's seventh-place finish provided a major highlight and an encouraging sign for the next generation of American judo.

With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games approaching, Baku offered a clear picture of both the progress being made and the work still ahead.

JONATHAN YANG MAKES HISTORY IN BAKU

At just 19 years old, Jonathan Yang (-60kg) delivered Team USA's standout performance, finishing seventh at his second Senior World Championships.

Yang opened his day with an ippon victory over Salih Yildiz (TUR) in Golden Score before producing one of the biggest upsets of the championships.

Facing world No. 1 Balabay Aghayev (AZE), Yang delivered a spectacular throw for ippon, eliminating the top seed in front of his home crowd.

The victory made Yang the first American man to reach a Senior World Championships quarterfinal since Jimmy Pedro won gold in 1999.

His run eventually ended following defeats to Olympic silver medalist Yang Yung Wei (TPE) in the quarterfinal and Ayub Bliev (RUS) in the repechage.

Although he narrowly missed the medal contests, his seventh-place finish was the best result for Team USA at the Senior World Championships since Marti Malloy placed fifth in 2015.

For an athlete still eligible to compete at the junior level, it was another major step forward in an already impressive career.

IMPORTANT WINS AND TOUGH CONTESTS

Maria Laborde (-48kg) opened her World Championships with an impressive victory over Tara Babulfath (SWE), the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist.

The experienced American secured the win by ippon before facing another Olympic medalist, Baasankhuu Bavuudorj (MGL), in the round of 16. Laborde's campaign ended there, but her opening performance was another reminder of her ability to challenge top international opposition.

In the men's -60kg category, Christopher Velazco also started with a victory, defeating Abdulrahman Alsaiari (KSA). His next contest brought a difficult challenge against world No. 3 Michel Augusto (BRA), with Velazco eventually eliminated on penalties.

Jack Yonezuka (-73kg) entered Baku ranked No. 6 in the world following an impressive season that included multiple IJF World Tour medals. He opened with a victory over Hassan Doukkali (MAR), but his campaign ended in the round of 16 against Yehonatan Elbaz (ISR).

For Yonezuka, the early exit was a disappointing result after a season that had established him among the world's leading athletes in his category.

A CHALLENGING WEEK FOR TEAM USA

The World Championships also brought difficult results for several Hatashita Sports athletes, with six members of the team unable to advance beyond their opening contests.

Toni Pepia (-52kg) made her Senior World Championships debut against Sugdiyona Rafkatova (UZB). Her tournament ended with an ippon defeat, following a season that included silver and bronze medals at African Open events.

Mariah Holguin (-57kg) returned for her sixth Senior World Championships, facing Great Britain's Acelya Toprak in her opening contest. Holguin was defeated by ippon, ending her campaign earlier than hoped. The experienced American had arrived in Baku following a fifth-place finish at the Pan American Championships.

Emily Jaspe (-63kg) also made her Senior Worlds debut, facing Himanshi Tokas (IND). Still eligible to compete as a junior, Jaspe was eliminated by ippon. She entered Baku following bronze medals at the San Salvador and Santo Domingo Pan American Opens, making her first appearance at the Senior World Championships another important step in her development.

In the men's -81kg category, Dominic Rodriguez arrived as the reigning Pan American Champion following a strong international season. Facing Agustin Gil (ARG) in his opening contest, Rodriguez had taken the lead with a yuko but was ultimately disqualified after receiving his third shido for grabbing his opponent's leg.

It was a particularly frustrating exit for the American, who had been ahead on the scoreboard before a costly penalty brought his World Championships campaign to an early end.

Also competing at -81kg, Johan Silot was defeated by ippon against Aurelien Bonferroni (SUI). Silot entered the championships following bronze medals at the Pan American Championships and Lima Grand Prix, but was unable to carry that momentum into Baku.

Alex Semenenko (+100kg) closed out the individual competition for Hatashita Sports, making his Senior World Championships debut against Ukraine's Yakiv Khammo. Semenenko was eliminated by penalties, ending his first Worlds appearance after a season that included Pan American silver and gold at the Lima Pan American Open.

For these athletes, Baku did not deliver the results they had hoped for. Their achievements throughout the season, however, remain an important part of the bigger picture. The challenge moving forward is turning continental success and World Tour experience into more consistent performances at the World Championships.

WHAT BAKU TELLS US ABOUT TEAM USA

The 2026 World Championships highlighted both the potential and the challenges facing American judo.

Jonathan Yang's performance demonstrated that the next generation is capable of competing with the world's best. His victory over the world No. 1 was a significant achievement, and his seventh-place finish established an important benchmark for the team.

Laborde, Velazco and Yonezuka also showed their ability to earn victories on the world stage, although all three were eliminated before reaching the quarterfinals.

At the same time, six opening-round defeats highlighted the demanding level of competition at the World Championships. Several athletes arrived in Baku with Grand Prix medals, continental titles and strong international results, but were unable to translate that success into deeper runs.

For Team USA, the next step is clear: building greater consistency against top-ranked opposition, limiting costly mistakes and converting opportunities into victories when the stakes are highest.

THE ROAD TO LA 2028

Baku was a reminder of just how competitive the world stage has become. Jonathan Yang's breakthrough performance showed what is possible, while the tougher results highlighted the small margins that separate winning from an early exit.

At Hatashita Sports, we're proud to support these athletes through every stage of that journey.