Brazil’s Daniel Cargnin Wins Bronze at World Judo Championships in Tokyo

Brazilian judoka Daniel Cargnin added another medal to his growing international resume by securing bronze in the -73kg category at the 2025 World Judo Championships, held in Tokyo, Japan, on June 5, 2025. Known for his explosive throws and relentless pace, Cargnin overcame a tough draw to finish on the podium, reinforcing Brazil’s position as a global powerhouse in judo.

This marks his second career World Championship medal and places him among the top contenders for the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Bronze Medal Journey

Cargnin, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, entered the tournament as a seeded athlete. His path to the medal included:

• Round of 32: Defeated Adlan Askarov (KAZ) – ippon with uchi-mata
• Round of 16: Beat Rustam Orujov (AZE) – waza-ari
• Quarterfinal: Lost to Hidayat Heydarov (AZE) – golden score
• Repechage: Defeated An Chang-rim (KOR) – tactical win via penalties
• Bronze Match: Overcame Tohar Butbul (ISR) – ippon with a clean seoi-nage

The bronze medal match was a showcase of timing and technique. Cargnin controlled the grip exchanges and launched a decisive attack at 1:42 to seal the win.

Judoka on the Rise

Daniel Cargnin, 26, has become one of Brazil’s most consistent performers on the tatami. Since earning Olympic bronze in Tokyo 2020, he has:

• Won gold at the 2024 Pan American Championships
• Medaled at three IJF Grand Slams
• Climbed into the top 5 in the IJF world rankings

Coach Yuko Fujii praised his evolution:

“Daniel is not only physically strong—he’s matured tactically. He now wins with his mind as much as with his technique.”

Tactical Highlights

Cargnin’s judo has evolved to focus on:

• Dominant right-side grips
• Fast transition from standing to ne-waza (ground work)
• Adaptability under pressure and golden score scenarios

His ability to win matches through both traditional ippons and strategic shidos (penalties against opponents) shows a complete understanding of modern competitive judo.

Brazil’s Strong Showing in Tokyo

Brazil’s team performed well at the World Championships, with:

• Rafaela Silva finishing 5th in -57kg
• Mayra Aguiar securing a bronze in -78kg
• Eduardo Yudy Santos reaching the quarterfinals in -81kg

This reinforces Brazil’s continued presence among the top nations in international judo, alongside Japan, France, and Georgia.

Looking Toward Paris and Los Angeles

While Daniel has already qualified Brazil for the 2026 Judo World Masters and is well-positioned for Olympic qualification, his goals are clear:

• Win his first World title
• Reach the final at Los Angeles 2028
• Inspire the next generation of Brazilian judokas

In a post-match interview, Cargnin said:

“Every fight teaches me something. This medal is for everyone training in Brazil, dreaming of being on this stage one day.”

Conclusion: Brazil’s Judo Future Looks Bright

Daniel Cargnin’s bronze medal at the 2025 World Judo Championships cements his status as one of Brazil’s most elite athletes. With his eyes set on Olympic gold, and a nation behind him, he’s proving to be more than a judoka—he’s becoming a symbol of Brazilian fighting spirit.