Many seeded players out in Linz

The favourite for the gold medal in Linz was top seed, Tokyo Olympic Games bronze medallist at U66kg, Daniel Cargnin (BRA). However Cargnin lost his second contest to Romanian Ioan Dzitac. Although it did not take long for the Brazilian to settle into his new category as he took a world bronze medal and the Masters title in his first full year at the higher weight and he will be looking to build momentum leading up to the Paris Games.

Surprisingly, Cargnin is yet to win a grand prix gold medal, with one silver and two bronzes to his name so far in his career and in Linz it won’t happen this time anymore.

His teammate and world number four Guilherme Schimidt (BRA) was the number one seed in Linz in the category U81kg as well. But topping the podium in this competitive category at any World Tour event is no mean feat and for the Schimidt to do so in Linz would be no different. Schimidt lost to local judoka Bernd Fasching and is out of the tournament.

Well, they are not alone, U73kg also seeded Tohar Butbul, Akil Gjakova and Magdiel Estrada are out before the quarter finals.

U81kg lost seeded players in Schimidt, Latisev, Muki, Wachid Borchashvili, Moutii, Ungvari and Gerbekov. Only Antonio Esposito did his job well and reached the semis.

The two frontrunners for Austria Lubjana Piovesana and Magdalena Krssakova are both out as well. Michaela Polleres is still competiting.