-48kg: Everything is possible
Seventh recently in Paris, the world number 5 Milica Nikolic (SRB) will be on the starting line with the rank of number one seed and the desire to get on the podium this time. Last year she failed at the foot of it and this time she hopes to open the medal count for the year 2024. Behind her, the competition will be quite open though and so everything is possible.
-60kg: Mkheidze Is in Good Shape
We could have said that Luka Mkheidze (FRA) deserved a good rest after his magnificent victory in Paris earlier this month. At 28 years old, the world number five, the first French medallist of the Tokyo 2020 Games three years ago, seems to have reached full maturity. This is undoubtedly why he made the trip to Azerbaijan, to gain further experience and to meet new opponents. Will he have recovered perfectly? We'll know soon. The presence of many incumbent nations such as Brazilians, Dutch, Uzbeks and Mongolian athletes, without forgetting the Azeris, should provide Luka Mkheidze and us with interesting information.
-52kg: Keldiyorova and the Others
The season started perfectly for Diyora Keldiyorova (UZB), with a thunderous victory in Portugal. Having skipped Paris, she is back and she is undoubtedly preparing to make more sparks fly on the world circuit. We will also follow the veteran Odette Giuffrida (ITA) closely, who with two Olympic medals already in her pocket, is launched in a phenomenal quest, that of getting on the podium again in Paris this summer.
-66kg: A First Medal for the Host Country?
The top seed is currently ranked 6th in the world and reached the podium last January in Portugal. This time Yashar Najafov will be at home and that could be an advantage or perhaps additional pressure. Behind him we will find athletes in search of points and also laurels. This promises surprises, twists and perhaps confirmations. What is certain is that the category seems uncertain, for our greatest pleasure.
-57kg: What a Crowd of Champions
This will be the densest category of the day, in terms of results and personalities, as the world number one, no less, Christa Deguchi (CAN), will be present on the tatami. Nothing is less certain for her though, even if she is in great shape. Two weeks ago, she was actually upset in the final by the young Frenchwoman, Faiza Mokdar, who threw her on her back with force, speed and control, the perfect ippon, in the final of the prestigious Paris Grand Slam. If this was probably just an accident in Deguchi's journey, it nevertheless indicated that she is beatable.
This is undoubtedly what Sarah Leonie Cysique (FRA) imagines and what she dreams of, even if the objective remains the Games this summer. The two women can meet in the final, bringing us another great French-Canadian liaison. Before that, we will have to follow the reigning Olympic champion, Nora Gjakova (KOS), the Georgian Eteri Liparteliani, Timna Nelson Levy (ISR) and of course the double world champion and Olympic medallist Daria Bilodid (UKR), to name a few. We told you, there will be density and intensity among the -57kg athletes.
The die has been cast, the draw is known, the weigh-in has taken place. All that remains is to hear the first hajime to fully immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of this grand slam which will be magnificent. Follow all the action on https://judotv.com/