About the absent; Beslan Mudranov not in Russian team for Budapest

Judo is a sensitive sport when it comes to injuries. For the World Championships in Budapest at the end of August some major players will be absent, either due to injuries or simply because they have no match rhythm. Also interesting to watch are those who use the Worlds to make a comeback.

One of the major missing athletes will be Olympic Champion Beslan Mudranov of Russia, who didn’t make any international contests since his Olympic gold. He tested the waters a bit in his own country and won all his matches, but it was no grounds for confidence. Although he was eventually selected, some days ago he picked up an injury and the risk was too high, so the Russian managers decided to pick European champion Robert Mshvidobadze instead.

World No. 1 Maryna Slutskaya will be absent due to a knee injury that she picked up in her final match of the European Open in Minsk on 23 July against Larisa Ceric. Slutskaya will need a recovery time of two months and has placed a hold on her world title ambitions.

Obviously, we may have noticed the absence of some sensational Olympic medal winners either because they retired (Kayla Harrison, Rishod Sobirov, Anicka vam Enden), have no rhythm (Yarden Gerbi, Or Sasson), or they are sitting on the fence about whether to proceed (Paula Pareto, Travis Stevens). Some athletes are trying to come back from an injury, like Laura Vargas Koch and Olympic Champion Mashu Baker. Some became mothers, such as Automne Pavia and Kaori Matsumoto. Japanese Shohei Ono had an injury and didn’t qualify and can now focus on his studies. Some athletes stepped up a weight and didn't find the right pace and need time (Tchrikishvili, Tatalashvili, Ebinuma). 

Also, there are athletes lacking match rhythm, who will start in Budapest and use the Worlds as a podium to make their comeback, such as Walide Khyar of France, Gwak DongHan of Korea or Kim Polling of the Netherlands.

Of the 14 Olympic Champions Mudranov, Ono, Baker, Pareto, Tachimoto, Harrison and Andeol won’t compete. Basile (what is his form?), Khalmurzaev (no doubt), Krpalek (new weight), Riner (no rhythm) Kelmendi (no doubt), Silva (unrivaled) and Trstenjak (still going strong) will act in Budapest.

The World Championships in Budapest will be the biggest judo show on earth, and the need for new heroes in this Olympic cycle is big. No worries, there will be. Who can retain the title, which Olympic champions will capture the world title? Play the JudoInside Coach game soon and select your best 10 players who will collect the points for you.

Until then, we will entertain you with the best previews available. Still, each day there will be changes, you will read them at JudoInside.com.