Preview World Championships U78kg

The category U78kg has evolved into one of the most attractive divisions among women. Since the 2012 Olympic Games the strength and image of women such as Kayla Harrison, Gemma Gibbons, Mayra Aguiar and Tcheumeo is a wealth for judo. Their only problem is, they’re not alone.

The two major Pan American enemies are linked at the draw: Kayla Harrison and Mayra Aguiar. Both fight eachother regularly and one of those highlights was last year’s World Championships final, won by Aguiar. The American also won the Pan Am Games final against Aguiar but lost to her in the American Championships in Edmonton. The head2head has a score of 7-7. Both are expected in the quarter final.

Luise Malzahn and Natalie Powell may battle for a quarter final spot, Guusje Steenhuis who won the last two Grand Slams is for sure the favourite for the quarterfinal position. Steenhuis is the one in form, but Malzahn remains a difficult opponent for her, 2-2 in head2heads with the last victory for Malzahn in Baku. Let’s motivate Mami Umeki of Japan telling her that since the victory of Takanori Nagase the category U78kg for women is the only division where Japan never had a World Champion.

Audrey Tcheumeo is the French tiger and favourite for the semi final. In her her pool Castillo, Joo and Maranic. 2009 World Champion and current World Champion Marhinde Verkerk seems to be the most likely opponent of Tcheumeo in the quarter final, the score is 5-2 for Tcheumeo. They never met at a World Championship.

Ana Velensek is the outsider, but a serious outsider. She can defeat everyone in the field except Harrison (0-7), but Velensek will sign for a final. In her pool among others the ambitious Gemma Gibbons and 2013 World Champion Kyong Sol of North Korea.

Kayla Harrison is the owner of the gold backnumber, we’re sure that Aguiar wants to prolong her red backnumber.

Watch all statistics for each individual match here