The IJF World Tour has already hosted Grand Prix events in the judo stronghold of Dushanbe, Tajikistan, a city known for its love of the sport, with an atmosphere that rivals that of the Paris Grand Slam, even leaving hoards of fans unable to squeeze in to the Kasri Tennis Arena. Now, Tajikistan will be cheering for the tremendous judo of the next generation as the Junior World Championships begins next week in the stunning capital city.
Leading the -48kg women is the current Junior European Champion, Konul ALIYEVA (AZE), and after a strong performance in Tallinn at the beginning of September, she is gearing up for a powerful display for the world title. Though the European strength is clear in this category, the challenge will of course increase with the likes of world ranked #3, Lok Yi HO (HKG), #7 Nomad RIADI (MAR) and Laziza HAYDAROVA (UZB) all residing in the seeded positions. That being said, we have a full European Championship roster battling on the world stage; silver medallist, Zilan ERTEM (TUR) could cause upset early on as an unseeded entry, however Morgane ANNIS (FRA) and Laura BOGDAN (ROU) are placed in third and fourth place in the list, defining themselves as top contenders.
Defending Junior World Champion in the -60kg category, FUKUDA Yamato (JPN) is back and ready to defend, but will have tough competition from European Champion, Nazar VISKOV (UKR) as well as the number one seed, Nizami IMRANOV (AZE). The latter will be determined to leave behind this second place trend, as he found himself with a world silver in Odivelas. It will be bronze medallists, Ksawery IGNASIAK (POL) and Zacharie DIJOL (FRA) coming in as outsiders of the seeded positions that want to surprise on the first day of competition. One of the most widely distributed seeding lists can be found in this category, spanning from Kazakhstan to the United States of America, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
It has been a tremendous month for Nicolina NISAVIC (SRB), world ranked #2 in the -52kg category and a favourite to top the world podium, Nisavic claimed the European title before heading to the Podgorica Senior European Cup where she stole the show to claim a consecutive gold medal. Finding herself on a roll will be motivation enough, but her opponents will endeavour to find a way to stop the momentum. Giving up two seeded positions to Pan American duo, Rafaela RODRIGUES (BRA) and Evelyn BEATON (CAN), the majority representation is Europe, however there is one European medallist waiting in the wings; Tabea Nika MECKLENBURG (GER). As it is her first year competing in junior events, she has set a high standard for herself, medalling in the Graz Junior European Cup, winning in Berlin and of course placing in a major championship, her goals may be lofty, but so are her achievements already. Despite missing out on a medal in Tallinn, the competition needn’t underestimate the top seed, and half of Italy’s entry in this weight, Micaela SCIACOVELLI.
Though the girls missed out on medals at -52kg, the men at -66kg are a different story. As the top two seeds, there is full potential for an all-Italian final between European Junior Championships gold and silver medallists; Valerio ACCOGLI and Alessio DE LUCA. This is of course if they aren’t derailed by their wonderfully strong rivals, which outside of seeding includes the 2023 World bronze medallist; KENTOKU Kairi (JPN). Again there is a heavy presence from Pan America, Jose ICELO (MEX) and Iago SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) follow behind the Italian duo. Even further down the entry list is an Azerbaijan talent battling his way in to a new age category, already having claimed a world silver as a cadet, 18 year-old Musayev MAHAMMAD may very well be a huge surprise.
Author: Thea Cowen