NAME: Luka MKHEIDZE
COUNTRY: FRANCE
CATEGORY: -60kg
WORLD RANKING POINTS: 6104
In the fast-paced world of judo, 2024 will forever be remembered as the year Luka Mkheidze ascended to the throne of the -60kg category, finishing as the undisputed world number one. With a style as quick as lightning and a personality as warm as a Parisian sunrise, Mkheidze has left fans and foes alike in awe.
From his opening gambit at the Paris Grand Slam 2024, where the roar of the home crowd fuelled his gold-medal victory, to his consistent podium finishes throughout the IJF World Tour, Mkheidze was unstoppable. He didn’t just win, he astounded. The icing on the cake came once again on home soil, on the highest sporting stage, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, when he won silver to become a double Olympic medallist.
What makes Mkheidze’s story even more inspiring is his journey. Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, and later embracing France as his home. Off the tatami, he is a beacon of humility, often seen engaging with young judoka and sharing his experiences to inspire the next generation.
As 2024 draws to a close, the question on everyone’s mind is: What’s next for Mkheidze? Whether he is eyeing the next Olympics in 2028 or simply continuing to electrify the judo world, one thing is certain, he has already made a huge impact within the sport, achieving so many incredible accolades!
Top of the world – Félicitations, Luka!
Images: EJU / Ville d’Hyères
Author: Szandra Szogedi