Top four of the world U63kg present at Baku Games

The European Games will show some great judo at the second day. The women’s U63kg is a European category with Clarisse Agbegnenou and Yarden Gerbi as the world’s numbers one and two listed. Not just them but also Tina Trstenjak and Kathrin Unterwurzacher are ranked three and four. It’s clear that Baku and all fans can look forward to great judo. A good Yarden Gerbi is capable to regain the title, she has the throw, she has the experience and the motivation for this inaugural Games.

Let’s hope that the world and European Champion Agbegnenou is fit again after her slight inconvenience at her foot. Agbegnenou showed herself at the Grand Prix of Zagreb where she reached the final and got surprised by Tina Trstenjak. The Slovenian grew to world level and beat the best athletes in the world. In fact she is the one to beat with the best preseason of all athletes in this category.

Since her bronze medal she won gold medals at the Grand Prix Zagreb, Grand Slam Abu Dhabi, Grand Slam Tokyo, Grand Prix Tbilisi, Grand Prix Zagreb and Grand Prix Budapest. She has only lost to Alice Schlesinger in Dusseldorf this year.

The British had a good season since her comeback, she switched from Israel to Great Britain and she won the Grand Prix in Düsseldorf, had a final at the European Open in Prague and picked up bronze at the Grand Prix Samsun and Grand Slam in Baku. However you can also see that she is vulnerable against the top athletes such as Kathrin Unterwurzacher (AUT) who beat her in Baku in May.

The Austrian won the European Open in Oberwart at home and Grand Slam in Baku, so she’s is travelling to Baku with confidence. She reached the final at the IJF Masters in Baku where Unterwurzacher lost to Tashiro. She doesn’t have to be scared of anyone in the top. It’s the surprise judoka who beat her twice this year (Franssen and Labazina), so eyes open in the first rounds.

Outsiders for the title are a good Martyna Trajdos, Edwige Gwend who grew to maturity and the Swedish ladies Bernholm and Hermannsson who both won bronze in Budapest two weeks ago, so they are in shape to mingle among the best. At lower level Dutch Juul Franssen won the Euro Open in Cluj, bronze in Samsun and smaller events in Uster  and Arlon. She can shake up the order as replacement of Anicka van Emden.

Place your bets for the title U63kg.