It looks like Asia versus the world in the -66kg category with some seriously strong pairings in the seeded positions and beyond. Immediately we have two alternating combinations of Tajikistan and Japan, sealing the top four seeded positions. Nurali EMOMALI and Obid DZHEBOV take places #1 and #3, with TAKEOKA Takeshi and ABE Hifumi in #2 and #4 respectively.
With the double Olympic Champion, Abe (JPN) absent in Abu Dhabi last year, it left an opening for team mates to seek World success. Takeoka took the silver medal, however the gold still went home to Japan, won by TANAKA Ryoma.
On the 2024 podium however, were two European representatives who are returning this year; Luukas SAHA (FIN) who took a senior European medal this year, and Vazha MARGVELASHVILI (GEO). Neither however, will be in seeded positions in Budapest.
Instead, we will see the current European Champion Daikii BOUBA (FRA) as the highest ranked, followed by European silver medallist, Murad CHOPANOV (IJF).
As we’re talking of doubles, it continues to be a theme with both France and the IJF team, Wor;d bronze medallist, Walide KHYAR joins team mate Bouba in the trenches, and two-time 2025 Grand Slam winner, Ramazan ABDULAEV pairs with Chopanov.
It is an incredibly populated weight division with some very exciting judoka including David GARCIA TORNE (ESP) who was forced to sit out of the European Championships to manage a small injury and prepare for the World stage properly. Pipping Garcia in the ranking is yet another lightweight talent from Azerbaijan, Ruslan PASHAYEV, who fought his way to the gold medal in the Paris Grand Slam.
For the host nation, eyes will be on 2024 European medallist, PONGRACZ Bence (HUN), and despite this being his last place on a podium, he will be invigorated by the home crowd and undoubtedly embrace the motivation of competing in his capital city.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen