Japan Maintains Unrivaled Dominance in World Championships Mixed Teams Event

The Abu Dhabi World Championships 2024 showcased the ongoing supremacy of Japan in the mixed teams judo event, as they continued their winning streak to secure a seventh consecutive title. This accomplishment further cemented Japan’s reputation as the preeminent force in this discipline, following their dominant performance in the individual competitions where they topped the medal tally with three world titles.

In the mixed teams event, each team consists of three women and three men competing across six weight categories. The categories for the women are -57kg, -70kg, and +70kg, while the men compete in the -73kg, -90kg, and +90kg divisions. The team that wins the majority of these six matches is declared the victor. In the event of a 3-3 tie, one weight category is randomly redrawn for a tiebreaker match under golden score rules to determine the overall winner.

The seeding of the teams in Abu Dhabi was based on their performances in previous mixed team events at the world championships, the Olympic Games, and their respective continental championships. Japan, France, Georgia, and Brazil were the top four seeds, respectively, among the 13 competing teams. Japan entered the event as the clear favorite, buoyed by their track record and the presence of three new world champions among their ranks.

France, historically a strong contender in the mixed teams event, faced a challenging path this year due to a below-par performance in the individual competitions. Despite this, their experience and tactical acumen made them a formidable opponent. France had reached the final against Japan in all but the inaugural mixed team world championship in 2017 and were determined to reclaim their standing. The French always have a strong team and 2024 world champion Margaux is to used to fighting in a key role in the team. Even without Big Teddy the French will fight for the medals.

Team Georgia, having won their first-ever mixed teams world medal in Doha the previous year, was riding high on confidence. Their second-place finish in the individual medal tally in Abu Dhabi underscored their potential to advance further in the mixed teams event. The Georgian squad, known for its balance and resilience, aimed to capitalize on their recent successes. World Champion Grigalashvili and Sardalashvili don’t fight in a weight category that is relevant for the team event.

Brazil, the only other team besides France to have previously reached a mixed teams world final, faced a tough challenge after failing to secure any medals in the individual competitions. Nonetheless, their fighters’ spirit and past achievements in the mixed teams format provided hope and motivation to perform well.

The Netherlands, who secured a bronze medal in 2023, returned with ambitions of repeating or surpassing their previous success. With a strong roster of judokas, the Dutch team was keen to be among the medals again. With world champion Joanne van Lieshout they might have an ace, but she won the title U63kg, not relevant in the team event. They will miss Sanne van Dijke here and sent replacement for that category and men’s U90kg and fresh blood U73kg.

The competition unfolded with high intensity and drama, as each team showcased their best techniques and strategies. Japan, true to form, demonstrated their depth and consistency in both men's and women's categories, navigating through the matches with precision and skill. Their ability to adapt and respond under pressure once again highlighted their dominance in the mixed teams format.

France's journey in the competition was marked by tactical battles and gritty performances, although their struggles in the individual events cast a shadow over their campaign. Georgia's solid run underscored their growing prowess, while Brazil’s performance, despite the odds, reflected their enduring competitive spirit. The Netherlands continued to be a strong presence, aiming to build on their previous achievements.

The team of Korea will have some strong assets in key weight categories with Mimi Huh and heavyweight Kim MinJong and Kim Hayun, This team might even make fight for a top rank on Friday. The team of Canada can line up a nice set of athletes as well.

In the end, Japan’s comprehensive and well-rounded approach secured them the mixed teams title, further solidifying their unmatched legacy in this event. Their victory in Abu Dhabi was not just a testament to their technical superiority but also their strategic brilliance and team cohesion. As they celebrated their seventh consecutive mixed teams world championship, Japan set a high bar for future competitions, inspiring other nations to elevate their game in pursuit of excellence.