Outside of the seeding positions, there are always potential upsets in the early rounds, the underdogs looking to knock out one of the more favoured opponents, and in the -48kg category, this will be a likely occurrence with Cadet European Championships bronze medallists, Sofia ZAKHAROVA (IJF) and Anastasiia LEVCHENKO (UKR) waiting in the unseeded wings.
Leading the group in the upcoming Cadet World Judo Championships 2024 however is the current European Champion, Charlotte NETTESHEIM (GER). It was a gruelling event for the young German athlete who eventually topped the podium, and now she has fresh rivalry from the likes of former World Champion in the -44kg category, Clarice RIBEIRO (BRA). In position #5 in the seeding, and aligning with her world ranking is European silver medallist, Barbara TWAROWSKA (POL). There have been some adjustments in the seeding, as Lalla-Dounia LAHRIFI (FRA) was topping the points in Sofia, Bulgaria but now finds herself #8 in the world ranking list, which gives her seeding place seven in this event, followed by Hungary’s KISS Viktoria.
Izhak ASHPIZ (ISR) secured the world title last year in the -60kg category, and completed his collection by winning the European Championships earlier this year. With his absence, the top spot is up for grabs, and after a narrow loss in the final of Sofia, European silver medallist Jakub KUROWSKI (POL) will be gunning for gold. Another one to watch, who could potentially meet Kurowski in the final is number #2 seed, Veljko VARNICIC (SRB). For Varnicic, it was a bitter sweet European Championships, having made it to the final block, but was forced to settle for fifth place, and now he has the chance to redeem himself. Joining the top seeded from European Judo Union include Demetre MAKALATIYA (GER) and Maxence ADRIANO (FRA). Completely unranked, and certainly with plenty of potential is Merabi SAMADASHVILI (GEO) the world silver medallist in the -55kg category in 2023.
Brazil have the advantage of top seed in the -52kg category, with Rafaela RODRIGUES (BRA) leading the charge. Nevertheless, she won’t be given an easy ride, especially with the full European Championship podium crowding her in the top eight. European title holder, Valeriia KOZLOVA (IJF) is climbing the ranking list and closing in on silver medallist, Monica MARTINEZ DE RITEURTO MORILLAS (ESP). Clarisse CARILLON (FRA) has the fifth seed position, and JUTTNER Janka (HUN) is #8. There is also another contender from Hungary in position #3, VAS Mira. It simply wasn’t her day in the European Championships and the top seed ended up finishing with fifth place after team mate Juttner defeated her for the medal. This would be the ultimate stage for a comeback!
We can see consistency from top two seeds Inoyat TELMANOV (UZB) and Giorgi GIVISHVILI (GEO) who took bronze medals in 2023 in the -66kg category, as they are now leading the group and are vying for places in the final, however this category is full of potential finalists. European Champion Abdullakh PARCHIEV (IJF) is a major contender for gold here, and will be looking to follow up with another major gold. Boris JANKOVIC (SRB) made a splash in Sofia, claiming the European bronze medal, yet is still ranked #26 in the WRL despite his achievement. Similarly, fifth place finisher, Vasil GAMEZARDISHVILI (GEO) is in at #24. Another fifth place contender is Alexander MARLOV (SWE), he was a great talent and fan favourite in Sofia with his desire to throw big! Taking the final seeded place for European Judo is Rufus BARSKE (GER).
The final block on all days of individual competition will commence at 16:00 local time, 23:00 CEST. The online draw will take place on the 27th of August at 14:00 local time / 21:00 CEST.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen