A total of 20 individual neutral athletes (18 Russian, 2 Belarusian) appear in the entry list for the Judo World Championships Seniors in DOHA (QAT, 7-14 May). With Madina TAIMAZOVA (-70 kg), Tamerlan BASHAEV (+100) and Niiaz ILIASOV (-100) all three Russian Olympic bronze medallists from Tokyo have been named for the World Championships Seniors. A total of 670 starters from 99 nations are expected in Doha. 12 out of 14 world number 1s will be competing or no less than 126 top 10 athletes, including the three European title holders from Tashkent (-70: Barbara MATIC/CRO, -78: Romane DICKO/FRA, -81: Tato GRIGALASHVILI/GEO). A total of 998,000 dollars will be paid out in prize money.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Judo Federation (UJF) has withdrawn its nomination for the World Championships (due to the participation of neutral Russian and Belarusian athletes).
The last time Russian and Belarussian starters (under a neutral flag) competed in the Grand Slam tournament in ULAANBAATAR (MGL) in June 2022. The IJF’s decision is in line with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee.
Judoka
Author: EJU Media