Day 6: both categories are unpredictable but not for the world champions

Day six of the Paris Olympics will showcase the highly competitive judo categories for women under 78kg and men under 100kg, each packed with top-tier athletes vying for Olympic glory.

In the men's under-100kg category, the competition is particularly fierce and unpredictable. Zelim Kotsoiev of Azerbaijan leads the pack, having soared to the top of the world rankings following his triumph at the 2024 World Championships. Kotsoiev's consistent performances and champion status make him a formidable opponent. Ilia Sulamanidze of Georgia, known for his relaxed and fluid style, missed the World Championships but remains one of the most entertaining judokas in this heavyweight division.

Canada’s Shady Elnahas and former World Champion Muzzarffarbek Turoboyev of Uzbekistan hold the third and fourth seeding positions, respectively. Elnahas has shown remarkable skill and consistency, while Turoboyev brings a wealth of experience and previous world title credentials to the mat. Europe's strength is further represented by Michael Korrel of the Netherlands, a strong contender who faces stiff competition from Nikoloz Sherazadishvili of Spain. Sherazadishvili, a double World Champion in the under-90kg category, has had a challenging cycle with a weight change and surgery but recently topped the podium in Tbilisi, signaling his readiness.

Portugal’s Jorge Fonseca, also a double World Champion in this category, is known for his explosive and aggressive judo style. Fonseca's "go big or go home" attitude makes him a thrilling athlete to watch, aiming for nothing less than gold in Paris. Adding to the drama is the presence of the defending Olympic Champion, Aaron Wolf of Japan, who, despite being outside the seeding, poses a significant threat to any top seed he encounters early in the competition.

In Pool A, Zelim Kotsoiev (AZE) has a pretty clear path.
In Pool B, Muzaffarbek Turoboyev (UZB) has a good chance to make it through against Korrel.
In Pool C, Aaron Wolf (JPN) is likely to top the pool unless Fonseca or Sulamnanidze can block the road.
In Pool D, there's Sahdy Elnahas (CAN) and Nikoloz Sherazadishvili (ESP).

In the women's under-78kg category, Anna-Maria Wagner of Germany aims to improve on her previous Olympic performance and claim the top spot on the podium. As the second seed, Wagner's recent performances suggest she is in peak physical and mental condition. However, the top seed in this category is Italy's Alice Bellandi, who shifted weight categories since Tokyo and has been a formidable opponent. The two faced off in the last World Championships final, with Wagner emerging victorious, setting the stage for a potential rematch and a chance for Bellandi to seek revenge.

Inbar Lanir of Israel, the third seed, had a successful 2023 but is yet to capture a gold medal in 2024, making the Olympics her prime opportunity. She will face stiff competition from France’s Madeleine Malonga, who will have the advantage of competing on home soil and is a strong favorite for a podium finish. Other top contenders include the experienced Guusje Steenhuis of the Netherlands and the young and promising Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko of Ukraine.

Day six promises to be a spectacle of high-level judo, with each match potentially turning the tide for these athletes. The intense competition, combined with the Olympic pressure, ensures that the audience will witness some of the most thrilling and unpredictable judo bouts of the games.

In Pool A, there's Alice Bellandi (ITA) and Mayra Aguiar (BRA).
In Pool B, Madeleine Malonga (FRA) will probably top the pool.
In Pool C, there's Anna-Marie Wagner (GER) and Rika Takayama (JPN).
In Pool D, there's Inbar Lanir (ISR) and Guusj Steenhuis (NED).