Preview men Grand Slam Osaka

For the first time the IJF World Tour is welcomed in Osaka. The Japanese city hosted Asian Championships in the past and the 2003 World Championships. Obviously the expectations for the Japanese team are high this weekend and with Oon Yeoh of JudoCrazy we preview the men’s tournament with the major favourites.

U60kg

JudoCrazy: “Wow, this is a tough one with all four Japanese being very strong but we think Takato (JPN) will prevail. If an upset is to happen, it will be at the hands of one of his compatriots. But it's not likely to happen. Takato is riding high after winning in Baku.”

JudoInside: Nagayama and Takato are separated in Pool A and C and also Yuma Oshima (Pool B) and Toru Shishime (in the pool with Takato) can upset anyone. Both Smetov and Kyrgyzbayev (KAZ) and in pool D, Kyrgyzbayev is in shape.

U66kg

JudoCrazy: “Abe. Enough said.”

JudoInside: Also here two Kazakh judoka in one pool: Zhumakanov and Serikzhanov who was the world chs finalist. Last week I’ve seen an impressive Margvelashvili, so easy, so dominant, he should easily reach the quarter finals. But Abe is the strongest.

U73kg

JudoCrazy: “Super exciting category with Ono (JPN) and Ebinuma (JPN) competing. Although he is not seeded, we think Ono might clinch the gold. Too bad An Changrim (KOR) is not competing.“

JudoInside: Nice preround match between Van Tichelt and Ebinuma. Unfortunately no confrontation with An nor Hashimoto, so Ono is the favourite to regain the title he won in 2012 when he was 20. In Azerbaijan they had national championships, so no Heydarov in this category.

U81kg

JudoCrazy: “It's probably going to be De Wit (NED) or Wieczerzak (GER) but Nagase (JPN) is back after a long break due to injury. This one is a super hard call but we will go on a limb and say: Nagase!”

JudoInside: Exciting for number one seed De Wit he can take revenge to Medickson Del Orbe. Tatalashvili is back for Georgia U81kg. Wieczerzak was ill last week, so I doubt if he can survive this time. I look forward to Matthias Casse at this world stage.

U90kg

JudoCrazy: “Two top ones are Baker (JPN) and Toth (HUN) Most likely Baker due to home ground advantage. He is unseeded though.”

JudoInside: Ivan Silva Morales is definitely strong and with Özerler in the pool. Majdov and Mukai will probably battle hard. Normally Mashu Baker should come up on top, but Silva is a dangerous contender.

U100kg

JudoCrazy: “Wolf (JPN), Haga (JPN) and Liparteliani (GEO) are the top ones to look out for. We doubt how fit Liparteliani is given his rib injury he sustained in The Hague but he is listed.”

JudoInside: Haga might win the pool with Liparteliani if he is still hurt. A semi final against Aaron Wolf would be a great test for Haga. Read more about Kaihan Takagi, now fighting for Australia, but normally Korrel should go through. Fonseca remains a spectacular possible semi finalist. Just bare in mind that the top 4 of the Japanese Championships don’t even compete here.

+100kg

JudoCrazy: “This used to be a boring "fat man" category but nowadays many of the heavyweights are actually not that heavy. Tushishvili (GEO) is the top pick here. There's also bunch of interesting, relatively light contenders including Krpalek (CZE), Naidan (MGL), Granda (CUB) and Hegyi (AUT). The Japanese are represented by three big guys: Harasawa, Ogawa and Ojitani and one small guy, Kageura. We think Tushishvili will win although he might get tripped up by Naidan.”

JudoInside: Tushishvili is in a strong pool but is the best. Krpalek can show his best against Ogawa and the Czech should win here. I think it’s Japan vs Tushishvili. As JudoCrazy goes for Tushishvili, I will go Krpalek instead of the big boys from Japan.