Nearly 250 judoka from 47 nations arriving to the city of Heidelberg, Germany, to compete at the first IBSA Grand Prix of 2024. The stakes are high as the offer is double the points for this event. Up until mid-week, teams have to undergone several eye classifications to renew their status in the group; whilst there are also over a dozens of newcomers to test their skills amongst the world’s finest VI judoka. The two-day event will bring actions from top stars including Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champions, Christopher SKELLEY (GBR), Vugar SHIRINLI (AZE) and Sevda VALIYEVA (AZE).
Focusing on Europe’s supreme, double Paralympic bronze medallists (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, -60kg), and current world champion, Alexandru BOLOGA (ROU) jumped up to the middle weights for this cycle and did that in style, keeping his #1 status in tack, now amongst J1 73kg. Both world bronze medallist, Dong Dong CAMANNI (ITA) and Lennart SASS (GER) will seek to overcome the leader of this division.
As per this summer games’ host, world champion, Helios LATCHOUMANAYA (J2 -90kg) is part of the delegation of 13 judoka. Portugal’s top hope lays in the hands of 2023 world gold medallist, Miguel VIEIRA (J1 -60kg). Europe will also showcase some of their best female athletes, including three world champions, Zeynep CELIK of Turkiye (J2 -57kg) and Ukrainian duet Nataliya NIKOLAYCHYK (J1 -48kg) / Anastasiia HARNYK (J1 +70kg).
Overseas pressure will come from the likes of World and Paralympic champion, Vahid NOURI (IRI J2 +90kg). Add to that, Brazil’s golden pair from Tokyo, Alana MALDONADO (J2 -70kg) and Meg EMMERICH (J2 +70kg). The challenges will continue for Europe via 2023 world silver medallists (J1 -73kg) Yergali SHAMEY (KAZ). All in all, there are eight current Paralympic champions, and 13 current IBSA world champions are scheduled to compete this weekend. This itself speaks volume!
The event can be viewed live online via IBSA Youtube Channel.
Cover image: ParalympicsGB
Author: Szandra Szogedi