The hype surrounding the World Judo Championships Abu Dhabi 2024 (May 19-24) is incredible, the arena is already a hive of excitement on the first morning and we can guarantee it will only get better as the days go on and more champions are crowned.
However this is no ordinary World Championships, there are Olympic places at stake for a great number of the athletes competing here, whether it is to acquire the necessary points to qualify or to defeat a team mate in a national race. On day one, this includes the Swiss head to head in the -52kg category between Fabienne KOCHER and Binta NDIAYE, who also battled it out in the final of the Dushanbe Grand Slam two weeks ago.
Speaking with IJF Commentator and voice of judo, Sheldon FRANCO-ROOKS, he dispels any idea that this World Championships will be different to any other, despite a few missing top seeds.
There will be a higher than expected performance, yes some big names are missing, but there will be a higher performance, there is so much at stake. We don’t typically have this, so close to an Olympic Games but there are massive points on offer, and unless you don’t need to be here, you’re here.
In the lightweight categories on day one of the esteemed World Championships here in Abu Dhabi, we welcome the world ranked #1 athletes in the -60kg and -48kg categories; YANG Yung Wei (TPE) and Assunta SCUTTO (ITA), as well as WRL #2 Diyora KELDIYOROVA (UZB) leading the -52kg women.
Current and three-time European Champion, Francisco GARRIGOS (ESP) will look to protect his red back patch in the -60kg category while Japan’s Olympic hopeful, NAGAYAMA Ryuju looks to stand on top of the senior podium for the first time. Defending Olympic Champions this week will include superstars, Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA) and Lukas KRPALEK (CZE).
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Author: Thea Cowen