Croatians Katarina Kristo and Iva Oberan battle for qualification

A magnificent seven of the top eight finishers at -63kg at the Dushanbe Grand Prix 2023 are back in Tajikistan once more looking to match, or indeed better, their performances second time round, but with only 14 world ranking places separating the eight seeded players, there is no guarantee of success for any of them.

The gold medallist in 2023 was 22-year-old Katarina Kristo (CRO) who has since continued to climb the world and Olympic rankings with silver and bronze medals at the 2024 Paris and Antalya Grand Slams, respectively. She comes in as the fourth seed and currently sits in a continental qualifying position. Last year’s silver medallist Sarai Padilla Guerrero (ESP) is seeded eighth but is one place behind her teammate and seventh seed Cristina Cabana Perez (ESP) in the Olympic rankings; she too occupies a continental quota spot. Neither can afford a slip up if they are to keep their Olympic dreams alive.

Kristo’s compatriot and eighth seed Iva Oberan (CRO) took one of the bronze medals in June last year but so far is yet to win a grand slam medal in her career. Top seed Lubjana Piovesana (AUT) finished behind Oberan in 5th place but will be confident of making the podium this time, having won her first grand slam title in Baku in February. We cannot rule out the second and third seeds either, Prisca Awiti Alcaraz (MEX) and Barbara Timo (POR), though neither have managed to win a World Judo Tour medal this year after five attempts each.

Other potential challengers for the podium positions will come in the form of twice WJT medallist Seiko Watanabe (JPN), 5-time grand slam medallist Anriquelis Barrios (VEN) and Antalya Grand Slam 2024 silver medallist Dali Liluashvili (AIN).

profile Katarina Kristo (CRO)

Kristo began her judo journey at age ten, training under coach Josip Barić. With a gold medal at the 2023 Grand Prix Dushanbe and a silver at the 2024 Grand Slam Paris, she's making waves in the -63kg category. Alongside her athletic pursuits, Katarina is a dental medicine student at Travnik University, balancing her passion for judo with academic endeavors.

profile Iva Oberan (CRO)