The draw for the 2024 Olympic Games is complete and while the seeded positions were known, there were some outsiders coming to cause major upset. Let’s take a look at where they’ve ended up, and which early round contests could be highlights for spectators.
In the -48kg category, home favourite Shirine BOUKLI (FRA) will be taking on Japanese opponent TSUNODA Natsumi in her quarter, and in her opening contest will be dealt Türkiye’s Tugce BEDER who has been on a roll in 2024.
The -60kg intense quarter contains former World Champion, Francisco GARRIGOS (ESP) who could potentially double up with tremendously difficult opponents; Jorre VERSTRAETEN (BEL) and NAGAYAMA Ryuju (JPN), the latter he is yet to defeat.
A major concern in the -52kg category was defending Olympic Champion ABE Uta (JPN) who fell just outside of the seeding, giving the top eight quite the headache. Now we know, Abe will sit in pool A with top seed Diyora KELDIYOROVA (UZB), this also means she will possibly meet her Tokyo Olympic final opponent Amandine BUCHARD (FRA) or again Chelsie GILES (GBR) in the semi final.
In the -73kg category we could be looking at a quarter final between the -66kg category graduates; Manuel LOMBARDO (ITA) and Daniel CARGNIN (BRA), who took a fifth place and bronze in Tokyo respectively. On the opposite side of the draw we wait excitedly for potential head to head between HASHIMOTO Soichi (JPN) and three-time Olympic medallist and Champion from London 2012, Lasha SHAVDATUASHVILI (GEO).
As for the defending Olympic Champion in the -57kg category, Nora GJAKOVA (KOS), she will see current World Champion, HUH Mimi (KOR) early doors.
It’ll be up to top seed Matthias CASSE (BEL) to manage the current Olympic Champion, NAGASE Takanori (JPN) in the -81kg category before he makes it out of the quarter final to tackle the rest oh the hoard.
As for -90kg, pool B sees a strong rivalry between Hungary’s Olympic bronze medallist and this years flag bearer, TOTH Krisztian and former World Champion, Noel VAN T END (NED). Toth has managed to come out on top an impressive eight times, however the pair first need to survive hard first round contests against Alex CRET (ROU) and Rafael MACEDO (BRA).
Europe have a string of top athletes in the -70kg category, arguably one of the strongest for the continent, which could cause early round heartache. In a fairytale whirlwind, Kim POLLING has changed representation and is a firm member of Team Italy, but fate has it that she will likely take on top seed, double World Champion and current European Champion, Barbara MATIC (CRO) in pool A. Another great head to head could come to fruition between Olympic silver medallist, Michaela POLLERES (AUT) and former World and European Champion, Marie Eve GAHIE (FRA).
Another defending champion is going to create issues for the number two seed, Ilia SULAMANIDZE (GEO). WOLF Aaron (JPN) had an incredible rivalry with the former Georgian captain, Varlam LIPARTELIANI, but now it is up to the new generation to seek success if they make it through to the quarter final of the -100kg category.
Finally, the +100kg category will still deliver on entertainment despite the absence of top contender Inal TASOEV. The -100kg and +100kg Olympic Champion, Lukas KRPALEK (CZE) will likely face Japan’s SAITO Tatsuru and on the other side of the draw, there will be hope for an almighty clash of the titans; Guram TUSHISHVILI (GEO) and France’s main man, Teddy RINER.
Let the games begin. Literally.
Author: Thea Cowen