Japan untouchable for seventh time in Mixed Team final

The mixed team event has been a highlight of the World Judo Championships ever since its introduction in 2017. The sixth and final day of the Abu Dhabi World Championships 2024 showcased the 7th edition of this event at the Mubadala Arena in the UAE capital. Once again, it was Japan who emerged victorious, extending their perfect record to 7-0.

Thirteen teams and 146 athletes from three continents competed for the prestigious title of mixed team world champions. Japan and France, having contested five of the previous six finals, found themselves in a familiar showdown in Abu Dhabi.

In the final, Japan demonstrated their dominance. Nakano set the tone by defeating Akiano Mongo with two waza-ari scores. Momo Tamaoki followed with a victory over Faiza Mokdar, securing the win with an o-uchi-gari in golden score. Ryuga Tanaka continued the streak, dispatching Joan-Benjamin Gaba in just 25 seconds using o-uchi-gari. Although Margaux Pinot clawed back a tactical victory for France after a six-minute contest, it was not enough. Kowei Kawabata rounded off Japan's tremendous display by throwing Axel Clerget twice with seoi-nage to score ippon. Japan clinched their 7th consecutive mixed teams world title, maintaining their unbeaten streak since the event's inception.

Bronze medals

The disqualification of the Republic of Korea saw Germany advance directly through the repechage to face Georgia for the first bronze medal. A disqualification for Johannes Frey against Guram Tushishvili put Germany at a disadvantage. Nina Loladze and Giorgi Chikhelidze then extended Georgia's lead with ippon wins over Pauline Starke and Jan Ruebo, respectively. While Giovanna Scoccimarro managed to secure a victory for Germany by throwing Eter Askilashvili for waza-ari, it was not enough. Luka Babutsidze quickly countered Johann Lenz to score ippon, securing Georgia their second consecutive world mixed team bronze medal.

In the second repechage match, Italy secured a deceptive 4-0 victory over Hungary. Manuel Parlati's win over Bence Pongracz at -73 kg concluded the match. Italy took on Uzbekistan for the second bronze medal, starting strongly with Alisher Yusupov defeating Nicolas Mungai at +90 kg. Italy responded with three consecutive wins from Antonio Esposito, Thauany David Capanni Dias, and Irene Pedrotti. Despite Boltaboev keeping Uzbekistan's hopes alive by defeating Lorenzo Rigano, Asya Tavano sealed the victory for Italy by submitting Rinata Ilmatova with waki-gatame to score ippon. This win marked Italy's first world mixed teams medal in their inaugural participation.

Semi finals

In the semi-finals, Japan dominated Uzbekistan 4-1, with Muzaffarbek Turoboyev's obi-tori-gaeshi ippon against Nakano being the sole highlight for the Uzbeks. France faced Georgia in the other semi-final. Despite a valiant effort from Georgia, France advanced to their sixth world final against Japan with a 4-2 victory, capped by Axel Clerget’s submission of Luka Babutsidze with gyaku-juji-jime.

During the preliminaries, Germany narrowly defeated Kazakhstan 4-2 in round 1 of pool A, but were subsequently beaten 4-0 by Japan in the quarter-final. In pool B, Uzbekistan overcame Brazil 4-2 and moved to the semi-final after the disqualification of the Republic of Korea. Pool C’s only round 1 match saw Italy edge out the Netherlands in a re-fight, with Kim Polling defeating her former teammate Hilde Jager. Italy then faced and lost to France 4-1 in the quarter-final. In pool D, Hungary earned an impressive 4-1 victory over Mongolia but were defeated by Georgia, who advanced with 4 ippon victories.

The Japanese team once again demonstrated their judo prowess, solidifying their status as the reigning champions of the mixed team event, a title they have held since the format's inception.