Bilodid wins four contests higher category U52kg

Daria Bilodid started surprisingly U52kg at the Grand Slam in Budapest. The double World Champion and favourite for the Olympic title didn’t want to lose weight with the current pandemic, it’s that simple. She took quite bronze medal in perhaps her future category after the Olympic Games, not so bad despite that one loss against Andreea Chitu.

The Ukrainian is an attraction wherever she goes because she is a double world champion and dominates the -48kg category with little resistance. There was, of course, curiosity to see her again with a judogi. However, curiosity gave way to direct interest because she was registered in another category.

People began to speak, to speculate and to build theories of all kinds: it will be because she is bored at -48kg and wants a new challenge, it will be that she does not want to show her current level too soon, it will be a weight problem. Everything was said.

Bilodid competed and won the bronze medal. We went to see her to dispel the mystery.

“It was a considered and consensual decision between me and my parents. With the pandemic, losing weight is risky, because the body is more vulnerable. That is why I have participated in a higher category. I do not want to fall ill, but I need to compete, like everyone else, to return to the circuit and do what I like."

It’s as simple as that. Just in case, we launch a probe for the future, but that is laid to rest too. “This has been an exception; in the European Championships I will participate at U48kg. As for the future, we'll see,” concludes Bilodid, who has explained the mystery of Budapest while unveiling a new one. Bilodid won the bronze medal after four victories and one loss, in fact quite good  for a debut in a new category.