Beslan Mudranov steps up to U66kg category

At the Grand Prix of Marrekech a few judo super stars are back on the mat. One of them is Beslan Mudranov. But he will have to give the utmost to gather enough points for qualification for the Olympic Games. Mudranov has been moved from the U60kg category to the U66kg category for Marrakech which will be his debut at the heavier weight. Qualifying is an almost impossible job, but with Olympic Champion Mudranov, nothing is impossible.

World number 33 Mudranov has fought has fought in five IJF competitions since his Olympic victory. The five-time Grand Prix winner only has a bronze medal from the 2018 Ekaterinburg Grand Slam to show for his efforts since his comeback in 2017.

Ezio Gamba is always loyal to his top champions and will keep offering them opportunities to return to form despite the arrival of a group of new contenders from whom the Italian master will pick his Tokyo 2020 representative in the U60kg category.

Three Russian judoka are now ahead of Mudranov, 32, in the rankings. World number one Mshvidobadze Robert has placed at his last nine events including silver at the Worlds and gold at the World Judo Masters while world number nine Albert Oguzov and world number 11 Islam Yashuev are two world-class judoka.

In a late change, Mudranov has been moved from the U60kg category to the U66kg category for Marrakech which will be his debut at the heavier weight.