Haruka Kaju defended her women's -63 kg world title at the 2026 World Judo Championships in Baku, defeating Israel's Kerem Primo in the final to extend her unbeaten international sequence to 40 contests since her debut in December 2024.
Kaju struck early in the final, using a shoulder technique to flow immediately into groundwork. Primo escaped the first hold-down after nine seconds, but the Japanese champion never released the pressure. She followed Primo's attempt to create space, worked briefly towards the neck, and converted seamlessly into a second osaekomi.
Kaju kept her head low and tightened the control as the clock moved past 20 seconds. The ippon was decisive — a second world crown and a 40th consecutive victory without a single defeat. The streak began when she launched her IJF profile in late 2024 and has now spanned every international competition she has entered.
Two former champions, one path to gold
The route to the final ran through the division's recent champions. Kaju defeated 2021 world champion Jessica Klimkait of Canada early in the draw, then faced 2024 world champion Joanne van Lieshout in the semi-final. She controlled the Dutchwoman with two yuko before finishing by ippon in the final minute, moving her winning sequence to 39.
Promise halted, record extended
Kerem Primo, 21, had fought the tournament of her career to reach a first senior world final. Against Kaju, the breakthrough stopped.
"I wasn't necessarily expecting to go so far, but I took each contest one at a time and concentrated only on the opponent in front of me," Kaju told reporters afterwards. "I always try not to become defensive. I want to remain hungry, keep moving forward and constantly look for opportunities to attack."
In Baku, the red backpatch stayed exactly where it was — the best start for Japan at a World Championships in 10 years. With the Los Angeles Olympic Games now on the horizon, Kaju's record reads two World Championships, two gold medals, and a division still waiting for her first international loss.
