Maria Laborde Returns to Grand Slam Podium After 13 Years

The second stop of the 2025 World Judo Tour brought the world’s top judoka to Tashkent, Uzbekistan for the prestigious Tashkent Grand Slam. Hatashita Sports proudly supported three sponsored athletes at this major international event. 

Paris 2024 Olympian and World No. 8 Maria Laborde delivered a standout performance in the -48kg category, finishing the day with a 3–1 record to secure a Grand Slam bronze medal.

The bronze medal match against Guzal Haydarova was a high-level tactical battle that extended into Golden Score — Laborde’s third Golden Score contest of the day. In the opening minute of extra time, Haydarova was assessed her third and disqualifying shido for non-combativity, awarding the bronze medal to Laborde.

This podium finish marks a major milestone. It is Laborde’s first Grand Slam medal representing the United States and her first Grand Slam medal in 13 years. Her previous podium came at the Paris Grand Slam, where she competed for Cuba. 

This is the first medal for USA Judo since 2017, when fellow Hatashita Sports athlete, Hannah Martin earned a silver medal in the -63kg category. 

Competing alongside Laborde on Day One was 2025 Junior World Bronze Medalist Jonathan Yang in the highly competitive -60kg division.

Yang opened his tournament with authority, throwing Daniel Stein Padoa (ISR) for waza-ari to advance from the Round of 32. In the Round of 16, he faced eventual silver medalist Balabay Aghayev (AZE). After a tightly contested match that extended into Golden Score, Yang was caught for ippon.

On Day Two, Paris 2024 Olympian Jack Yonezuka stepped onto the tatami in the -73kg division.

Yonezuka opened strong against Daga Qing (CHN), scoring waza-ari with a crisp kata-guruma before transitioning into osaekomi to finish the contest by ippon.

In the Round of 16, Yonezuka faced Uzbekistan’s Mukhammad Jumaev, where a mid-contest yuko proved decisive.

As the road to LA 2028 Olympic qualification continues, every match, medal, and ranking point matters. Hatashita Sports remains committed to supporting athletes through every phase of their journey, providing elite judo gear designed for the world’s biggest stages.

Next up, Maria Laborde and Jack Yonezuka will join Team USA in Linz, Austria for the first Grand Prix of the year, continuing their push on the World Judo Tour.

Photo Credit: International Judo Federation