The fourth day of the event will be a fresh breeze for Europe as golden celebrations on course in both, the -63kg and -81kg category.
Is it really all about AGBEGNENOU vs TRSTENJAK?
If there are any categories where European spectators can consider relaxing, it is definitely the day of the -63kg category, where our athletes have dominated in past years. For the majority, day four will mainly be about the Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA) vs Tina TRSTENJAK (SLO) battle. However, there is an important factor that could cause major upset, that of double World bronze medallist, TASHIRO Miku (JPN) who has previously defeated both AGBEGNENOU and TRSTENJAK. The latter on multiple occasions. So can we still really bet on a European gold? We shall see. The fact that TASHIRO is number 3 seed and TRSTENJAK is number 2 seed will strengthen the chances for Japan to progress to the final. 2015 European Games winner, Martyna TRAJDOS (GER) is always close to the fire but has not yet managed to show her true potential on the World stage. In 2017, she narrowly missed out on a medal when losing against Agata OZDOBA-BLACH (POL). TRAJDOS will aim to snap the medal if the chance comes again. Tall and robust Dutch judoka, Juul FRANSSEN has had her fair share of ups and downs in recent years, on and off the mat. Following the footsteps of Olympic bronze medallist, Anicka VAN EMDEN, the 28-year-old judoka strives to stand where she belongs… the podium of the World Judo Championships. Former WRL#1, Kathrin UNTERWURZACHER (AUT) suffered an injury which has kept her off the tatami but she will return to her competition regime at the biggest show of the year.
Wieczerzak returns to retain his World title
Olympic Champion and World bronze medallist Khasan KHALMURZAEV (RUS) will take to the world stage again to demonstrate his explosive and inescapable uchi mata technique. The -81kg competitor fell just short of the final in last year’s World Championships, when losing to eventual winner, Alexander WIECZERZAK. Despite his best efforts, the Russian elite athlete missed out on the gold recently in the Hohhot Grand Prix, his opponent, fresh-faced SASAKI Takeshi (JPN) not wasting any time on the senior international stage. This will be KHALMURZAEV’s opportunity to set the record straight and add the world title to his accomplishments. Russia will double their chances with double European medallist and IJF World Masters silver medallist, Aslan LAPPINAGOV.
2017 World Champion, Alexander WIECZERZAK (GER) will be making an appearance after a more relaxed year on the circuit, getting back in to the swing for the Olympic qualification period. It is his teammate Dominic RESSEL, sixth seed in the tournament, who has overshadowed WIECZERZAK this year, winning the Zagreb Grand Prix. Sagi MUKI (ISR) fast adjusted to the -81kg category, winning the 2018 European title whilst also defeating current World Champion, WIECZERZAK at the last Grand Prix in Budapest.
