It is with great sadness and regret that we inform the judo community of the passing of one of our own, referee Žygimantas Rybinas of Lithuania. The Lithuanian judo community was deeply shocked of the sudden death of the famous judo judge of the country, Žygimantas Rybinas. The 30 year-old…
13 January 2021Masters - Doha, Qatar
Perhaps in the -70kg category, we weren’t surprised to see Kim POLLING (NED) returning to her place on the podium, and as her first event since lockdown began early last year, she is still in good standing as she picked up a bronze medal. Joining her in third place was…
13 January 2021Masters - Doha, Qatar
There is some degree of irony in the fact that Tato GRIGALASHVILI (GEO), having been unceremoniously thrown to the wolves at the 2019 Qingdao World Masters (where he suffered a first-round exit), has since that time not lost a single contest. Any lingering doubts about his credentials as a serious…
12 January 2021Masters - Doha, Qatar
Though Distria KRASNIQI (KOS) took player of the day title along with her third Masters title yesterday in the -48kg category, the performances by European athletes and especially those that medalled were a testament to their dedication after almost a year of limited training. It was a tough first day…
12 January 2021Honored Master of Sports of the USSR David Rostomovich Khakhaleishvili passed away on January 11 at the age of 49. David Khakhaleishvili was born in 1971 in Kutaisi. The highest point in his career was the victory at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona as part of the united CIS…
12 January 2021Masters - Doha, Qatar
Distria KRASNIQI (KOS) continued her impressive IJF Masters record by collecting her third gold medal, retaining the title that the 25-year old won in Qingdao in 2019. Her win will see her increase her lead at the top of the IJF WRL and guarantee her place as number one seed…
11 January 2021Masters - Doha, Qatar
WOMEN -48kg Read the full article about the outstanding women’s weight category. -52kg Current world number one Amandine BUCHARD (FRA) is top seed here whilst 2019 Masters Champion SHISHIME Ai (JPN) will fly the flag for Japan. European Champion Odette GIUFFRIDA (ITA) is drawn in Shishime’s half which leaves current Olympic Champion…
9 January 2021Masters - Doha, Qatar
The scene is set for an IJF Masters showdown of epic proportions. Like some old-fashioned Western movie where the protagonists quietly come into a dusty town before bursting into action. Ok, so the mega modern setting of Doha will have to take the place of Tombstone (or wherever). But the…
9 January 2021Masters - Doha, Qatar
No need for hype, over-used superlatives or unwarranted speculation. The level of the entry for the 2021 IJF Masters promises long-awaited match-ups that even the Olympic Games cannot accommodate. Take for example the -81kg category. Only four places separate Tato GRIGALASHVILI (GEO) from team mate Luka MAISURADZE (GEO) and their…
7 January 2021Masters - Doha, Qatar
This weekend will see the city of Doha stage the 10th IJF Masters. The line-up of world class athletes is truly impressive with 10 weight categories featuring their respective world number one. It is not surprising that there should be such an air of heightened anticipation especially in the super-heavyweight…
7 January 2021European Judo Championships - Prague, Czech Republic
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. One can look back and see how things began, how events unfolded and how things came to be the way they are. Foresight on the other hand involves guess work and speculation, informed or otherwise. No amount of foresight could have prepared Shirine BOUKLI (FRA)…
5 January 2021Name: Lukas Krpalek Country: Czech Republic Weight category: +100kg Points: 6423 Olympic, World and European Champion in the -100kg category, Lukas KRPALEK (CZE) is a favourite among many fans, and not just at home. He is a legend in his own right and looks to prove his abilities in 2021. …
31 December 2020Name: Madeleine Malonga Country: France Weight category: -78kg Points: 6259 Since 2018, Madeleine MALONGA (FRA) has established herself on top of the -78kg category, securing her positions above team mates, Audrey TCHEUMEO and Fanny Estelle POSVITE. France may continue to pepper the categories with multiple worthy athletes but only one…
31 December 2020Croatian judokas Barbara Matic and Karla Prodan were named Women Athletes of the Year by the Croatian Olympic Committee (Prodan) and by main daily sports newspaper Sportske novosti (Matic). Croatia has chosen the best athletes of the year to close out 2020. This is the most representative choice, as it…
30 December 2020Name: Peter Paltchik Country: Israel Weight category: -100kg Points: 5407 A difficult year for most, but one athlete who has overcome it all and ended on a high is Peter PALTCHIK (ISR). The 28 year-old took gold at home in the Tel Aviv Grand Prix straight out of the gate…
30 December 2020Name: Marie Eve Gahie Country: France Weight category: -70kg Points: 6220 The 2019 IJF World Ranking saw GAHIE (FRA) as the leader of the race, and continues to this year as well. The 2019 World Champion is in a close contest with team mate Margaux PINOT who sits in the…
29 December 2020Name: Nikoloz Sherazadishvili Country: Spain Weight category: -90kg Points: 8111 Nikoloz SHERAZADISHVILI (ESP) will always hold his title of the first Spanish male judoka who took the World title in 2018, but 2020 marks the third year in a row for the young judoka at the top spot in the…
28 December 2020There will be little surprise that French superstar Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA) will be leading the -63kg category in 2021, the strong and successful athlete on top form going in to her Olympic year. The five-time European Champion and four-time World Champion is on a mission to take the title in…
27 December 2020
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