On the final day of individual competition in the Cadet World Judo Championships, the four remaining weight categories; -90kg, -70kg, +90kg and +70kg will dazzle with their skills and demonstrate who the best in the world is.
Ukraine are leading the -90kg with two-man team, Dmytro LEBID, the current European Champion and Arkadii SAMOILOV. Separated by Kazakhstan’s Sanzhar YERULANULY, the remaining European medallists are lined up and ready to rewrite their major results to secure a gold instead. Gaya SONNTAG (FRA), Tomass MANFELDS (LAT) and Majus GENYS (LTU) gave strong performances in Sofia, and now have to continue to show their dominance in the category. They will all of course be challenged by those who narrowly missed out on a major championship medal including Nikita AFANASJEVS (LAT).
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The -70kg category is the only without the current European Champion leading the charge as the 2023 World Champion Aleksandra ANDRIC (SRB) is not in the lineup in Lima. Instead, the world ranked number one, and last years silver medallist, Tuana GULENAY (TUR) has the top spot and will once again be heading for the ultimate title. It was an unfortunate 5th place finish for her in Sofia, as it was for the home favourite Nadie JAAFAR (BUL), nevertheless, the latter has picked herself back up and is ready for the task at hand. Zlata SUPRUNENKO (IJF) is sitting just outside the top eight, however the European silver medallist will be there to upset the assumed run of play. This could cause issues for the WRL #3 and #4, Anna OLIINYK-KORNIIKO (UKR) and Nina MUTEBA (FRA), as well as World and European bronze medallist, WRL #7 Xanne VAN LIJF (NED). France in fact have two within the top eight; Lucie RULLIER joins her team mate, followed by Croatia’s Nika SLACEK.
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In 2023, the now-Olympian Ibrahim TATAROGLU (TUR) was victorious, claiming the +90kg World title. Now there is another great senior potential in the young men’s heavyweight category; Marek-Adrian MASAK (EST). Following his Cadet European Championships success, it became clear the reason he was beginning to pull out in front of his peers, and it was the experience he was attaining on the international training camp circuit with some of the best in the world including Guram TUSHISHVILI and Teddy RINER. Next up is the target of World Champion, and by no means will be an easy ride. Masak will once again be challenged by European peers; Nodar KOBALADZE (GEO), Subhan AKHUNDOV (AZE) and Yauheni MORAU (IJF), all of whom medalled in Sofia. In Lima however, the seeded positions are also sprinkled with Pan-American potential, as well as Dinmukhammed NYSANBAY (KAZ), closed off with France’s Jean Pascal Bi Holy DA COSTA.
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The finalists in 2023 were LEE Hyeonji (KOR) and INOUE Tomoka (JPN), the latter ended with the silver medal, and is the only seeded Japanese athlete competing in Lima, looking to swap out the silver for gold. It is not unusual for the Japanese team to arrive without a ranking position as this can typically be step one on the international circuit for the young athletes. World bronze medallist and the current European Champion, Zuzanna BANASZEWSKA (POL) gave a sensational performance in Sofia, and will be accompanied by a strong European force; Leonie MINKADA-CAQUINEAU and Emma FEUILLET-NGUIMGO of France, Kristyna KASZPEROVA (CZE) and winner of the Tallinn European Open, Emma-Melis AKTAS (EST).
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