For the first time in what feels like a long time, we won’t see a fierce Canadian battle in the -57kg category, with neither Christa DEGUCHI or Jessica KLIMKAIT entered to compete in Budapest. However we will have the defending World Champion and Olympic silver medallist, HUH Mimi (KOR) in the fourth seeded position.
The three front runners are strong European contenders for the title this year, including European finalists; silver medallist Eteri LIPARTELIANI (GEO) in the top spot followed by Champion, Seija BALLHAUS (GER) at #3. Both have the potential to compete in the gold medal contest, but it will be the challenges on the way that will see their grit tried and tested.
Two-time Olympic medallist, Sarah Leonie CYSIQUE (FRA) is sandwiched between the pair, and though she may still be the front runner for Team France, she has company in this category now with Martha FAWAZ chasing her down. It was a quick succession of results that have seen Fawaz rise. A continental open gold medal quickly turned in to medals in both Grand Prix and Grand Slams in 2024, and then the dream came true for her as she stole the show in Paris to take gold, not only that, but most recently she took bronze in the Senior European Championships.
Europe are in fact coming in strong at this weight, taking two more spots in the seeded places; Marisa PERISIC (SRB) and Timna NELSON LEVY (ISR) rounding up to #7 and the final closer is last years bronze medallist and 2021 finalist, TAMAOKI Momo (JPN).
As always, the excitement in this sport lies within the potential for the underdogs to rise up, and there are a fair few who could cause upset.
Front runners include Junior European finalists, Fidan ALIZADA (AZE) and Nino LOLADZE (GEO), the latter taking a Grand Slam bronze in front of an incredible home crowd in Tbilisi. Former -52kg athletes, Ana Viktorija PULJIZ (CRO) and Binta NDIAYE (SUI) are steadily rising in their new domain, but there is also a wealth of experience. Two-time European Champion (2019, 23), Daria KURBONMAMADOVA (IJF) is in the mix and despite three previous attempts, she is yet to walk away with a senior world medal, could this be the year?
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen