Judo talents lining up for World Championships in Lima

The judo world has been buzzing with excitement, with spectators either flocking to Paris for the Olympic Games or tuning in from home to watch senior athletes vie for the ultimate prize. Now, the spotlight shifts to South America, specifically to Lima, Peru, where the Cadet World Judo Championships are set to take place from August 28th to 31st. This event will see some of the most promising young athletes in judo, many of whom are looking to build on their success from the recent competition in Zagreb 2023, albeit in different weight categories.

One of the athletes to watch is Patricia Tomankova from Slovakia. Having claimed gold in the -40kg category in Zagreb, she has now moved up to -44kg and is gradually making her way to -48kg, a category she aims to make her home as she progresses into senior competition. Another notable athlete is Nihad Mamishov from Azerbaijan, the 2023 World Champion in the -50kg category. He, along with Georgia’s Shota Bachoshvili, who won bronze, will be competing in the -55kg category in Lima’s National Sports Village, VIDENA, located in the district of San Luis.

The competition is wide open for new champions, especially in the lighter weight categories. Aiora Martin Carriches from Spain, the current Cadet European Champion in the -40kg category, is looking to extend her winning streak to the world stage. Given her consistent performance in 2024, never missing the podium, she is a strong contender. However, she faces tough competition from the likes of Mathilde Aurel from France, Sandra Walendzik from Poland, and several other top contenders from Europe.

In the -50kg category, Azerbaijan’s hopes are pinned on Bahadir Feyzullayev, the current European Champion, and bronze medallist Mahammadali Husiyev, both of whom are among the top four seeds. They will face stiff competition from Brazil’s Carlos Filho and Yuri Pereira, as well as top talents from Kazakhstan and other nations. Europe seems to have a slight edge, with four of the seeded positions in this category.

The -44kg category is set to be fiercely contested, with all four athletes from the Cadet European Championship podium ready for battle in Lima. Tomankova leads the charge, followed by Africa Puente Lopez from Spain, Natalija Prolic from Serbia, and Lena Antoine from Belgium. However, they will be challenged by top contenders like Brazil’s Juliana Yamasaki and India’s Olivija Devi Huidrom.

In the -55kg category, Mamishov has secured a top-eight seed, just ahead of current European Champion Magomed Abdulaev. Abdulaev’s performance in Sofia was a surprise to many, and he will be looking to continue his success in Lima. Other top contenders include Gal Blazic from Slovenia, Kunyik Botond from Hungary, and athletes from Australia and Mongolia, showing the increasing diversity in this category.

The -48kg category promises potential upsets, with European Championship bronze medallists Sofia Zakharova and Anastasiia Levchenko waiting to make their mark. Leading the group is current European Champion Charlotte Nettesheim from Germany, who faces fresh rivalry from former World Champion Clarice Ribeiro from Brazil. The top eight seeds also include Barbara Twarowska from Poland and Lalla-Dounia Lahrifi from France.

In the absence of last year’s -60kg World Champion Izhak Ashpiz from Israel, the top spot in this category is up for grabs. European silver medallist Jakub Kurowski from Poland and Veljko Varnicic from Serbia are the top seeds and could potentially meet in the final. Other strong contenders include Demetre Makalatiya from Germany and Maxence Adriano from France, along with Merabi Samadashvili from Georgia, who was the 2023 World silver medallist in the -55kg category.

Brazil has a strong presence in the -52kg category, with Rafaela Rodrigues leading the seeds. However, she will face tough competition from the full European Championship podium, including European title holder Valeriia Kozlova, silver medallist Monica Martinez de Riteurto Morillas from Spain, and other top contenders from France and Hungary. The final category to watch is the -66kg, where top seeds Inoyat Telmanov from Uzbekistan and Giorgi Givishvili from Georgia lead a group full of potential finalists. European Champion Abdullakh Parchiev is a major contender for gold, with others like Boris Jankovic from Serbia and Vasil Gamezardishvili from Georgia also in the mix.

As the Cadet World Judo Championships unfold in Lima, these young athletes will not only be competing for medals but also for the chance to establish themselves on the global stage, setting the foundation for future success in their judo careers. With such a diverse and talented field, surprises are inevitable, making this a must-watch event for judo enthusiasts worldwide.