Keagan Young Defeated at Judo World Championships
The Canadian athlete exited the Under 90 kg division competition after a loss to Eljan Hajiyev in Baku.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Wrestling
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Keagan Young was defeated by Eljan Hajiyev at the Judo World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. Despite scoring a yuko early in the match, Young was eliminated after Hajiyev secured an ippon.
Why it matters
The loss marks an early exit for Young, who arrived at the tournament following significant victories at the Pan American Open events in Buenos Aires and Santiago earlier in 2026.
Young competed in the Under 90 kg weight division, while opponent Eljan Hajiyev advanced with his ippon victory. The tournament saw two bronze medals awarded to Murat Fatiyev and Boris Rutovic.
The players
Keagan Young
He is a competitive judoka who previously secured gold medals at the Pan American Open in both Buenos Aires and Santiago.
Eljan Hajiyev
He is a judoka who previously claimed a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships and won the 2025 Grand Slam in Dushanbe.
Sanshiro Murao
He is a judoka who captured the world championship title in the Under 90 kg division by defeating Goki Tajima.
Kyle Reyes
He is a judoka scheduled to face Jorge Fonseca in an upcoming match in Baku.
Coralie Godbout
She is an athlete set to compete in Baku on October 16, 2026.
The details
The match featured an early offensive advantage for Young, who successfully executed a yuko. However, Hajiyev, a bronze medalist at the 2025 World Championships and winner of the 2025 Dushanbe Grand Slam, responded to clinch the match with an ippon.
Timeline
June 2026: Keagan Young won the Santiago Pan American Open.
October 8, 2026: Keagan Young competed in the Judo World Championships.
October 16, 2026: Kyle Reyes and Coralie Godbout are scheduled to compete in Baku.
Season Trajectory
The Judo World Championships serve as a critical ranking event that shapes the international competitive landscape following the 2025 World Championships in Hungary. Results from Baku dictate the momentum for athletes as they look toward future Grand Slam events and potential qualification cycles.
The defeat removes Young from podium contention in the Under 90 kg division at this championship. Observers should monitor upcoming matchups, including Kyle Reyes versus Jorge Fonseca, to track the remaining bracket progression.
The takeaway
This match highlights the high volatility of world-class judo where early tactical advantages can be reversed by a single ippon. Consistency across multiple international opens remains the primary indicator of long-term success for developing athletes.
Further reading
For more coverage on international competition results, visit the Wrestling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sport Information Resource Centre.
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