The IJF confirmed on 18 June that the 2026 Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam officially opens the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualification window. The tournament runs 19–21 June at the AIC Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with 454 athletes from 58 nations.
IJF Education Director Florin Daniel Lascau said at the draw ceremony: "It is a pleasure and an honour to extend sincere best wishes to you from our president, Mr Marius Vizer. This 2026 edition of the Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam opens the qualification period for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. We have no fewer than ten current world or Olympic champions present in Mongolia this year."
From this Ulaanbaatar Grand Slam onwards, every world ranking point earned will count toward LA 2028 Olympic qualification. Japan has fielded its 2025 men's -66 kg world champion Takeshi Takeoka among others — a key reference point for Asia's Olympic qualification race.
Full article: International Judo Federation