World number one Gennaro Pirelli (ITA) enters as the top seed, already a remarkable achievement for the 2026 European champion. Apart from a fifth place in Paris at the beginning of the season, he has not lost since, collecting victories at the European Championships and in Ulaanbaatar, Lima and Hungary. His opening contest could bring him face to face with Switzerland’s determined Daniel Eich, should the latter come through his first round.
The upper part of the draw also includes two-time world champion Nikoloz Sherazadishvili (ESP) and Anton Savytskiy (UKR). These are outstanding prospects and this is only the first quarter of the draw.
In pool B, Niiaz Bilalov (RUS) and Olympic and world medallist Ilia Sulamanidze (GEO) are the obvious names to watch. That assessment is based on their world ranking and on their ability to raise their level when the occasion demands it.
Pool C is equally formidable. Leonardo Goncalves (BRA) will be hoping to secure a much-needed medal for Brazil and could quickly find Dzhafar Kostoev (UAE) on his route. In the same section stand 2023 world champion Arman Adamian, Portugal’s Jorge Fonseca, world champion in 2019 and 2021, and Azerbaijan’s Zelym Kotsoiev, 2024 world champion and reigning Olympic champion. It is an extraordinary quarter of the draw.
In the lower half, Simeon Catharina (NED) has every chance of progressing through several rounds, although he could encounter the solid and surprising Caramnob Sagaipov (LBN) before perhaps facing Dota Arai (JPN), who is clearly targeting gold.
One could discuss this category for hours, such is its depth and unpredictability. Inevitably, there will be disappointment but the medallists who emerge at the end of the day will know that they have earned their place among the very best.