Justin Lemire Fell in World Championship Overtime
In his debut at the Senior World Championships, Justin Lemire was eliminated by Rashid Mammadaliyev.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Wrestling
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Justin Lemire lost to Rashid Mammadaliyev in the second round of overtime during his first Senior World Championships in Azerbaijan. The 25-year-old had previously defeated Adil Osmanov to advance in the 73 kg category.
Why it matters
This tournament marked the competitive introduction of Justin Lemire to the senior world stage, testing his abilities against top-ranked international opponents. His match against Mammadaliyev highlighted the high-stakes nature of overtime bouts at the world-class level.
Justin Lemire competed in the 73 kg weight category throughout the tournament. His opponent, Rashid Mammadaliyev, entered the competition with an official world ranking of 5.
The players
Justin Lemire
He is a 25-year-old judoka representing Canada who recently competed in his first Senior World Championships.
Rashid Mammadaliyev
He is a judoka ranked fifth in the world who defeated Lemire in the second round.
Ryuga Tanaka
He is the judoka who secured the gold medal in the tournament by defeating Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov.
Adil Osmanov
He is an Olympic medalist who suffered a defeat against Lemire in the opening bout.
The details
Justin Lemire began his tournament by securing a victory over Adil Osmanov, who had previously earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Despite pushing his second-round opponent into overtime, Lemire ultimately conceded the winning point to Mammadaliyev, who finished the event in third place.
Timeline
Justin Lemire competed in the tournament on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
Rashid Mammadaliyev won the Budapest Grand Slam in September 2026.
Adil Osmanov won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The World Championships continue on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The World Championships represent the pinnacle of the current international judo calendar following the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Performances at this event solidify individual world rankings and dictate seeding for upcoming grand slams and future continental championships.
Lemire's loss prevents him from advancing further in the bracket, ending his current run for a podium spot. His participation in this tournament provides him with valuable ranking points and experience against a top-5 world-ranked opponent.
The takeaway
Competing at the senior world level requires immense stamina, as evidenced by the high-pressure overtime loss Lemire experienced. Emerging athletes should view such experiences as critical developmental milestones for future international tournaments.
What happens next
The World Championships will continue on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, featuring Canadian athletes François Gauthier-Drapeau in the 81 kg category and both Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard and Jessica Klimkait in the 63 kg category.
Further reading
For additional coverage on recent international grappling competitions, see our Wrestling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sport Information Resource Centre.
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