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Ilia Sulamanidze (GEO) remains number one U100kg

Ilia Sulamanidze (GEO) remains number one U100kg

17 Jan 2024 09:30
IJF Media team by Jo Crowley and JudoInside
JudoInside.com - Hans van Essen / judo news, results and photos

Georgia remains the hot topic as we move up to the next category. Ilia Sulamanidze leads the pack and at only 22 it's an incredible feat to be in such a position, among the heavier men of the judo world. The junior world champion won the 2022 World Judo Masters and also carries with him two junior continental titles and two u23 continental golds. The trajectory is out of this world but the Olympic Games is never played out in a straight line and Sulamanidze’s podium place is certainly not assured.

World number 2 Zelym Kotsoiev (AZE) is difficult to beat for anyone. He sometimes makes mistakes which cost him dearly but when he gets it right he’s virtually unstoppable and it’s likely he’ll have done all the right prep ahead of Paris 2024. Two world medals in two years, previous Olympic experience and a fantastic team behind him will make him a formidable opponent in 6 and a half months time.

That’s before we even get to Michael Korrel, Paltchik or Kanikovskiy!