Seeded number 1 at -50 kg, for example, is the 2025 world cadet silver medallist Arthur Bonato (BRA). He doesn’t compete very frequently but when he does he is almost guaranteed to make it to the podium. In Guayaquil he will have a bye in the first round, earned through his ranking, giving him a chance to size-up the competition. Will he reach his golden goal? We can’t say for certain, but we can say he has a track record that bolsters his campaign.
Iroda Sirojiddinova (UZB) ia the one to watch at -40 kg. Four appearances in 2026 and 4 podium finishes would be evidence enough of here potential, but 3 of those medals were golds and so now there’e more than just a trend to contend with. She is the current cadet continental champion and is known for her inability to give up, no matter how much pressure she is facing. Can anyone block her path to the final?
At -44 kg there is a serious Italian race to follow. When Aurora Ferro was a first year cadet, in 2024, she won bronze at the Lima World Championships Cadets. Now two years older and among the most experienced athletes in the Guayaquil draw, she sits in pole position, 3 European cup golds to her name this season, and only has eyes for the gold in Ecuador too.
However, in Ferro’s quarter of the draw is compatriot Sofia Longo. She has taken as many European cup medals in 2026 as Ferro has, albeit of different colours. Seeded 8th, it is likely Longo will meet Ferro in the quarter-final stage. Longo could be the only participant capable of usurping the number one.
At top seed at -55 kg is Sebastian Teran (USA), a judoka with a large number of tournaments under his belt but no medals on the European tour as yet. Continental cup and championship medals show he can compete through a long day and a tough draw but perhaps third seed Ibrahim Talibov (AZE), with fewer results, has collected more wins at notoriously challenging events. He has been on the podium in Poland, Germany and Azerbaijan this year and he is a current cadet European medallist. They could meet in the final, but Talibov may be the young man with the upper hand.
Morocco’s Fatima Ezzahara Nidaoui is at the top of the -48 kg draw. She has numerous African cup titles at both the cadet and junior age band and also holds both of the 2026 continental titles. However, she has yet to compete outside Africa, apart from last year’s worlds. Strong, fearless and confident, she will be tough to beat but with Japanese, Russian, French and Brazilian athletes on her half of the draw, the gold medal looks to be at risk.
In the last category of day one, the men’s -60 kg group, Khazar Heydarov (UKR) is aiming to set the bar high. He’s a 2024 cadet world medallist and also holds both the current EYOF and cadet European titles. With focus and great preparation Heydarov could be one judoka who holds his ranking all the way to the end of the day. He has the skills, the evidence and the confidence to earn the -60 kg crown.
Aside from the number ones, there is one team which always provides some added anticipation. Japan’s team arrives in Guayaquil with a team of 12 judoka, one per weight except the two lightest women’s categories. Among them is not one athlete with a world ranking and that’s Rio Shirakane, a world champion from the last edition, ready too compete in Ecuador on day 2. The day one cohort will be making their debut but there is a feeling that despite their lack of international experience, they are ready to go against the grain.
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