Current European and defending World Champion, Giorgi SARDALASHVILI (GEO) may not be the top seed going in to this 2025 edition of the World Championships but he will absolutely have the biggest target on his back. Last year he made history as the youngest in Georgia to become the world title holder, and now he has the opportunity to continue his legacy.
It is also an opportunity for the #7 seed and Olympic bronze medallist, Francisco GARRIGOS (ESP) to take back his red back patch from the 2023 win in Doha. For Garrigos, Budapest is a somewhat memorable place, given that in 2021 he took his first senior world medal, among one of the best performances from Spain, tallying four medals and placing third on the medal table.
Incredibly, still looking for his first world medal is top seed, Olympic silver medallist and 2023 European Champion, Luka MKHEIDZE (FRA). He made quite the comeback to competition following Olympic success, earning him a prized title in the Tbilisi Grand Slam, and later took bronze at the European Championships. With the playing field feeling so ‘level’ it will be tough to pick out a golden hope in Budapest.
Not to mention, number four seed, European silver medallist, Ayub BLIEV (IJF), who is on his hunt for gold. After settling for his fourth continental championship silver medal, having placed at all levels; cadet, junior, U23 and now senior, he is prepped and ready to take his first world accolade. Last year it was a close call, narrowly missing out on the bronze, however after his stellar performance this year, defeating the likes of Mkheidze for his place in the final in Podgorica, hopes are high.
Though the focus is on top seed, Mkheidze, France also has Romain VALADIER PICARD lying in wait in the final seeded position. The 22 year-old has gone from strength to strength, medalling at major events and taking his first Grand Slam gold in front of a home crowd in Paris this year.
Strength doesn’t only lie within the seeding however, with 2024 world medallist, LEE Harim (KOR) sitting outside, along with numerous fresh faces who will be challenging the group leaders.
From Europe, threat comes from Spains Luis BARROSO LOPEZ, Austria’s Daniel LEUTGEB and from overseas, the rising star from the United States of America, Cadet World Champion, Jonathan YANG. The youngster has placed in continental open events and event took bronze medals in both the Junior and Senior Panamerican and Oceania Championships in April.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen