The -63kg landscape has adjusted somewhat since the 2024 edition, with big moves happening in France. We won’t be seeing the six-time World Champion, Clarisse AGBEGNENOU this year, instead we have two strong contenders within the seeding positions.
First up is world ranked #7 Melkia AUCHECORNE in the fifth seeding position, the rising star and Junior European athlete of the year following her European and world accomplishment. Since, she has gone on to medal three times in Grand Slams this year, completing a collection with a medal at home in Paris. Following up right behind is Manon DEKETER who shared the podium with her team mate in Paris, however making it to the final, and again in Tbilisi. She came very close to success in the senior European Championships, where she left with a 5th place, however she has already proven her abilities on the world circuit, taking a bronze in 2022 World Championships.
Now for the leading four. Canadian attention has been stolen from the -57kg category and now lands on top seed and 2022 World Vice Champion, Catherine BEAUCHEMIN-PINARD. She has been claiming Grand Slam wins since 2014 and her consistency follows her 11 years on with a win in Tbilisi this March. This could be the year she tops a world podium, however she has the defending World Champion, Joanne VAN LIESHOUT (NED) on her heels.
In the third seeded position, Lubjana PIOVESANA (AUT) will be looking to break her trend of a 5th place finish, but given her personal dealings this year, competing in the European Championships was a major feat, let alone to make it in to the final block. Now with that under her belt and some hard preparation, a world medal doesn’t seem so unrealistic!
Laura FAZLIU (KOS) secured two major medals in 2024, World and Olympic bronze, following in the trajectory of her successful team mates, and will be the fourth seed in Budapest. With such a formidable barrier in the seeding places, it will be hard to break through, and the final two that will be challenged are Iva OBERAN (CRO) and the two-time European Champion, Renata ZACHOVA (CZE).
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen