Preview women U70kg: Yoko Ono is the one to beat

The World Championships proceed with day four in Baku. The women U70kg division have two strong Japanese in the line-up and some people are convinced that it will deliver a fifth gold medal. This division in a clash between Asian, Pan America and Europe and it looks the continents are clustered together in pools.

Brazilian Maria Portela may be the one on paper, but we think there are others who might reach the podium. Nonetheless the Brazilian has a good draw and we think she has a good chance to progress to the semi-final.  In Pool A, we consider see Maria Perez (PUR) as a threat. Canadian Kelita Zupancic can still sing with the stars and Jeong Hye-Jin is a dark horse from Korea.

Dutch Sanne van Dijke is well in form to fight for the medals, but she is in a pool with Yuri Alvear (COL), the triple world champion that we cannot underestimate although she isn’t seeded. In this pool B also current world champion Chizuru Arai, speaking about top class, besides that lots of talent like Scoccimarro (GER) and Willems (BEL). We expect Van Dijke and Arai in the quarter final.

Marie-Eve Gahie will have a good vibe with Sunday’s gold for Agbegnenou, now it’s time to blast the competition away U70kg. Not see easy, talent enough with Dutch Hilde Jager who is a dark horse, but normally Gahie is too strong for her, and also tall. Sally Conway is so dedicated and experienced, even though Elvismar Rodriguez is her first opponent, Conway should be able to reach the final block and perhaps the semi final.

Pool D we have Anna Bernholm (SWE)  but foremost Yoko Ono of Japan, the one in form and the number one contender for the world title. We think she will make it to the semi final and even an all Japanese final could be the case.

Not so easy to predict this category, so don’t pin us on the following favourites: Portela and Zupancic both Pan Americans, Van Dijke and Arai, the Japanese has been stronger in the past. Gahie and Conway and Ono and possible Niang for the last 8. Yoko Ono seems to be the strongest of them all, let’s see in Baku.