At the top of the draw, Germany will rely on its leading name, world number one Anna Monta Olek. A finalist at last year’s world championships, where she was defeated by Bellandi, Olek now has a genuine opportunity to claim the world title herself. Her route to the quarter-final looks relatively open but the challenges will intensify from there.
In pool B, Japan’s Kurena Ikeda and France’s Kaila Issoufi stand out as the leading contenders. Pool C features the strong Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko (UAE), who will be the athlete to beat. Still seeking a first world championship medal for the United Arab Emirates, she could find her moment in Baku.
Her path may include a meeting with the enduring Audrey Tcheumeo (FRA), still a formidable presence after so many years at the highest level. An Olympic medallist in London in 2012, the French judoka remains in the world top 10 fourteen years later. Before any possible contest against Lytvynenko, however, she may need to overcome the powerful Emma Reid (GBR). In this particularly demanding section of the draw, Germany’s Alina Boehm must also be considered.
In the lower half, several athletes have every reason to believe in a medal, including Metka Lobnik (SLO) and Olympic and world medallist Patricia Sampaio (POR). This is a category packed with depth, experience and ambition. The battle for -78 kg gold promises to be one of the most compelling of the championships.