Regardless of who will take the 2025 World title in the -48kg category, they will be dethroning the 2024 winner, BAVUUDORJ Baasankhuu of Mongolia who is not in the line up.
So who will be battling for the ultimate title?
Leading the charge is two-time world silver medallist and the current European Champion, Shirine BOUKLI (FRA). It feels like prime time for the French judoka who has, in the past year stood on an Olympic podium and triumphed for the fourth time to secure a continental championship.
Aside from the absent Bavuudorj, the 2024 world podium will be back and vying for top position. Silver medallist in Abu Dhabi, Assunta SCUTTO (ITA) fought tirelessly to again be on a major podium in the 2025 European Championships in Podgorica, Montenegro and with her #4 world ranking status, continues to prove that her early success on the IJF World Judo Tour wasn’t simply good luck.
Tara BABULFATH (SWE) sits at #3, and so the #2 seed for the upcoming World Championships, and it has been a somewhat trying transition for her as she is mastering a new coaching staff, however the sprightly young judoka carries enough self belief and passion for her craft that she will undoubtedly overcome it soon.
Finally, from outside of Europe in the top four we have Abiba ABUZHAKYNOVA (KAZ), who narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal, but has not missed a podium since, claiming two Grand Slam bronze medals and a Grand Prix gold in Upper Austria.
Europe still have further strength in the top eight from Sabina GILIAZOVA (IJF) and Laura MARTINEZ ABELENDA (ESP), and then just outside, European silver medallist, Catarina COSTA (IJF) and bronze medallist, Andrea STOJADINOV (SRB). Now without the national rivalry, Stojadinov seems a little more relaxed in her approach, this could also be due to the start of a new cycle. Costa may show a slightly different side now as well, given she was mere days away from handing in her thesis during the Senior European Championships, and had been so dedicated to her studies to become a doctor.
Now like Babulfath came hurtling out of the gates, we have a fair few fresh athletes who have been garnering attention as senior athletes, one such is Eva PEREZ SOLER (ESP) who is part of an emerging new generation for Spain.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen