Several world medallists from the 2026 Baku World Championships will be in play, Ushangi Kokauri (AZE) among them. The Azerbaijani champion won silver in Abu Dhabi too, only two weeks ago, arriving in Zagreb as top seed at +100 kg. Compatriot Kanan Nasibov is likely to be his toughest opposition, himself a world bronze medallist on the same podium in Baku as Kokauri.
Another 2026 world silver medallist Kaila Issoufi (FRA) will be seeking a step up to gold but Emma Reid (GBR) and Inbar Lanir (ISR) have world championship medals of their own and may not allow the ranking to guide their performances.
Reid is seeded but Lanir could begin her day anywhere on the draw, a tough first contest for anyone present.
At -48 kg the clear favourite will be Assunta Scutto (ITA), now a five-time world medallist, a world champion in 2025, and a formidable opponent. Fast and focused, the Italian will not yield easily. Eva Perez Soler (ESP), the second seed, Amber Gersjes (NED), third seed, and four-time world medallist Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ) may be her strongest opposition. All have the skills needed to top the podium but Scutto remains the benchmark.
A strong field is present on the middle day of the competition, particularly at -63 kg. 2024 world champion Joanne Van Lieshout (NED) tops the seeding of the category but she will have challenges from 2021 world champion Jessica Klimkait. The Canadian won that gold at -57 kg but as a four-time world medallist, in total, she can’t be discounted in her current weight group. Iva Oberan (CRO) fighting on home soil, as well as Slovenia’s Kaja Kajzer Zabkar and Hungary’s new start Anna Kriza will also be in the running.
Close to 500 competitors from 68 delegations will complete their final, detailed preparations once in Zagreb and so the draw will form an important part of their work. Tune in to JudoTV to watch the draw live at 2pm local time.