Callum Maclennan

A magnificent seven of the top eight finishers at -63kg at the Dushanbe Grand Prix 2023 are back in Tajikistan once more looking to match, or indeed better, their performances second time round, but with only 14 world ranking places separating the eight seeded players, there is no guarantee of success for any of them.

The +100kg category at the Dushanbe Grand Slam 2024 provided judo fans with a highly anticipated rematch between two titans of the sport: Teddy Riner of France and Temur Rakhimov of Tajikistan. Riner, a living legend with 11 world championship titles to his name, faced off against Rakhimov, the former world number one aiming to defend his home turf.

The Dushanbe Grand Slam 2024 marked another significant milestone in Tajikistan's burgeoning presence on the international judo stage. With the event drawing to a close, it's evident that the tournament was not just about athletic prowess but also about the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship that permeated the atmosphere.

The Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam in Astana witnessed Murad Chopanov (AIN) claim gold, with Matteo Piras (ITA) securing silver, and both athletes making significant strides in their Olympic qualification journey. The final clash between Chopanov and Piras was a thrilling encounter, marked by explosive judo exchanges. Despite Piras displaying strong attacks early on, Chopanov executed a powerful utsuri-goshi, scoring waza-ari and swiftly transitioning to kata-gatame for a second waza-ari, clinching his second grand slam gold medal and a leap in the Olympic rankings.

The U73kg category at the Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam 2024 showcased an array of spectacular judo, culminating in a final between the top-seeded Manuel Lombardo of Italy and the third-seeded Danil Lavrentyev of the Individual Athletes of Neutral (AIN) team. However, focusing solely on their performances would overlook other noteworthy displays.

At -100kg, the two former world champions in the weight category are currently in top form. Jorge Fonseca of Portugal, a two-time champion, holds the top seed position following his recent successes, including a gold and silver medal at the Antalya Grand Slam and Upper Austria Grand Prix in March. Meanwhile, Aaron Wolf of Japan, the 2017 world champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion, is seeded fourth after securing bronze in Antalya and gold at the Paris Grand Slam in February.

Eljan Hajiyev of Azerbaijan has experienced a remarkable ascent since moving up to the -90 kg category in May 2023. With three World Judo Tour medals and a European championship title under his belt, Hajiyev has propelled himself into a direct qualification position in the Olympic rankings.

The final of the U60kg category at the Abu Dhabi World Championships was full of excitement. Itw as one of the greatest seen at a world championship in recent times. Georgia’s Giorgi Sardalashvili was overwhelmed by the speed of Taipeh’s Yang Yung Wei who kept on attacking. But in the end it was number seven seed Sardalashvili who stole it and walked away as the new world champion U60kg.

The Abu Dhabi World Championships 2024 showcased the ongoing supremacy of Japan in the mixed teams judo event, as they continued their winning streak to secure a seventh consecutive title. This accomplishment further cemented Japan’s reputation as the preeminent force in this discipline, following their dominant performance in the individual competitions where they topped the medal tally with three world titles.

The mixed team event has been a highlight of the World Judo Championships ever since its introduction in 2017. The sixth and final day of the Abu Dhabi World Championships 2024 showcased the 7th edition of this event at the Mubadala Arena in the UAE capital. Once again, it was Japan who emerged victorious, extending their perfect record to 7-0.