Korean rulers want gold at Grand Prix Düsseldorf

There was a long gap without Korean World Ranking leader between April 2013 and October 2014, but now the Koreans rule and especially in the men's categories they have three leaders. But also the women are getting stronger each event. At the Grand Prix of Düsseldorf all Korean top athletes are present to show their world leading status, or take it.

South Korea finished second in medal table in Paris with three gold and four bronze medals. As one of the sport’s strongest nations, South Korea have recently stepped up their Rio 2016 aspirations by sending their finest male and female judoka to all IJF World Judo Tour events and have reaped the rewards.

A 20-strong South Korean team will travel to Dusseldorf including the three Paris Grand Slam winners.

World bronze medallist An Changrim (-73kg) has been on the medal podium at his last 11 events including gold at the Paris and Abu Dhabi Grand Slams to become the world number one and a major contender for Rio 2016 glory.

Kim Jan-Di (-57kg) is enjoying the form of her life after winning two Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam last year before opening her 2016 campaign with gold in Paris. The world number three is one of the form judoka in the category and is only getting better.

Former world bronze medallist Kim Seongyeon (-70kg) was South Korea’s third gold medallist in Paris. The victory was Kim’s first on the Grand Slam stage in a notoriously competitive weight category and the world number nine is yet another fighter on the rise for her team.

In all years of the Grand Prix in Düsseldorf Korea has only taken four victories, starting with Kim Jae-Bum in 2010 and three winners in 2012. Last year Kim Won Jin won silver and both An's captured bronze U66 and U73kg. Time for gold.