The Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi remains one of the most popular events on the international judo calendar. Athletes appreciate the warm climate at the end of the year and the calm, welcoming environment they return to annually. Abu Dhabi has been a host city for the IJF World Tour since its early years and has staged a Grand Slam since 2014. The long weekend ahead of us marks the 11th edition.
Once again, the event attracts a strong field, with almost twice as many competitors as last year, when Abu Dhabi also hosted the World Championships just before the Olympic Games. This edition welcomes approximately 373 athletes from 52 nations, including a delegation of 19 from the host country, the United Arab Emirates. Europe is well represented, with France entering 18 competitors, Germany 17 and Italy 16.
Two current world number ones will be competing in Abu Dhabi: Distria Krasniqi from Kosovo and Abiba Abuzhakynova from Kazakhstan. France remains the most successful nation in the history of the Abu Dhabi World Tour events, with 70 medals and 21 titles. Interestingly, Krasniqi has never won this event for Kosovo. Of Kosovo’s gold medals in Abu Dhabi, Majlinda Kelmendi claimed four, one of them under the IJF flag when she was just twenty years old. She holds the overall record and will now be present as a coach. Nora Gjakova also won here for Kosovo in 2018.
In the men’s -60kg category, Giorgi Sardalashvili of Georgia makes his return. He won this Grand Slam in 2022 and the world title in Abu Dhabi in 2024. Azerbaijan also arrives with a strong team of 10 men, capable of medalling in every category, including 2024 world and Olympic champion Hidayat Heydarov. Another world champion in the field is France’s Joan Benjamin Gaba and fans may even see a repeat of the Olympic -73kg final. Olympic champion Lasha Bekauri of Georgia will also compete in Abu Dhabi, marking his first appearance in the UAE. The host nation has a medal hope in Dzhafar Kostoev in the -100kg division.
In the women’s -48kg category, current world champion Assunta Scutto is ready to run to the mat and this division is particularly strong this year. Another Italian star, Odette Giuffrida, who won the world title in Abu Dhabi last year, will compete in the -52kg category, which also includes aforementioned Krasniqi, the Hungarian duo Róza Gyertyás and Réka Pupp, and strong challengers such as Mascha Ballhaus of Germany, Ariane Leiva Sanchez of Spain, and Gefen Primo of Israel.
Fresh from celebrations in Belgrade, Marica Perišić of Serbia enters as the top seed in the -57kg division. Mimi Huh, who became world champion in Abu Dhabi in 2024 is also going to be present.
Another highlight is the -78kg category, which brings together the top two from the most recent World Championships in Budapest, Alice Bellandi (ITA) and Anna-Monta Olek (GER). Abu Dhabi will once again continue its tradition of producing strong champions. Follow all the contenders throughout the event on JudoTV.com.
Images: Carlos Ferreira / Gabi Juan
Author: Hans Van Essen