Draw of the Judo World Championships for women

The draw of the World Championships in Tashkent delivered a number of interesting battles. Obviously the first eight of the seeding lists were separated for each category. In total 571 will participate, which is the lowest since 2005 in Cairo. For the first time all athletes have to be seeded among the best 100 of the world in their category. In total there are 310 men and 261 women from a total of 82 countries. The 261 is not so bad, the lowest number since 2014 in Chelyabinsk and 45.7% of the whole participants field. Let’s have a look at the draw for women.

U48kg Shirine Boukli is the number one seed. She will face number eight of the seeing list only in the quarter final, which counts for each of the weight division. In this case Milica Nikolic. The two Japanese are separated as well and both are seeded among the 38 lightweights.

U52kg Amandine Buchard, another French is seeded as number one. Some of the none seeded athletes are Larisa Pimenta, Kelly Deguchi (sister of), the dangerous Bishrelt of Mongolia and Germany’s Mascha Ballhaus who is on form.

U57kg world champion Jessica Klimkait is the number one seed, she is in the pool with the dangerous unseeded Lien (TPE). Other surprises may come from non seeded athletes like Tihea Topolovec, Veronica Toniolo, Jessica Lima, Kaja Kajzer who was fifth at the Games in a strong pool with Timna Nelson Levy and Julia Kowalczyk. Also 2019 World Champion Christa Deguchi may generate some fireworks on the other side of the pool Lkhagvatogoo (MGL) as seeded player. 42 women battle it out.

British Lucy Renshall is the number one seed U63kg, so she could face Katharina Haecker (8) in the quarter final if she can stand Megumi Horikawa who is in the same pool with Haecker. In this pool also Kerem Primo (sister of Gefen). Andreja Leski of Slovenia is in a tough pool with former Paris winner Barbara Timo and Anja Obradovic (bronze medallist in 2021). Other surprises may come from Koreans Lee and Kim. Kim is in a pool with Beauchmin Pinard (seeded) and Laura Fazliu, Europe’s silver medallist in Sofia and Iva Oberan. Manon Deketer of France is in the pool with last year’s bronze medallists Sanne Vermeer (NED) among the 41 women.

World Champion Barbara Matic can defend her title U70kg on day 5 with Kelly Petersen (8 seed) in her pool but also Anna Bernholm who is back after a long while. Dutch promise Hilder Jager is eager to shine and Gulza Matinyazova (UZB) will also mingle for a place in the quarters. On the other side of the table recent world number one Sanne van Dijke (NED) in a pool with Yeats-Brown. Pinot with Croatia’s surprise Cvjetko and Gaby Willems (BEL). Sagi Niizoe is non seeded and in the pool with former world champion Gahie, smashing! Double Junior world champion Ai Tsunoda with Michaela Polleres. It’s a record of 44 women in this division, more than any weight category.

Germany’s World Champion U78kg Anna-Maria Wagner is still world number one and in the same pool with her country woman Alina Boehm for a place in the quarters, also Boehm is seeded and will have to deal with Brolih and Antonmarchi. Another great pool is with Hamada, Lee and Powell. Also two Koreans here U78kg where Yoon will fight Madeleine Malonga, a tough challenge. Last year’s bronze medallist Loriana Kuka is added to the pool of Inbar Lanir, two promising athletes will battle it out.

The heavyweight category +78kg is led by French Romane Dicko. She is in the pool with Chinese Xu, you never know the outcome but Dicko has a wealth of experience now. Dicko and Tolofua are both on the same side but separated until the semi finals. The other side looks tougher with Hershko, top favourite Tomita, Souza and Ortiz, it’s gonna be quite a battle among 29 women.