A total of 131 athletes across the -48kg, -52kg and -60kg categories launched the competition, demonstrating their typically dynamic, explosive and exciting judo. With 8 of the world’s top 10 present in each category, there was no easy path to the gold medal. In all three categories, the gold medallists became world champions for the very first time in their careers.
At -48kg, the title was earned by third seed Baasankhuu Bavuudorj (MGL), who defeated world number one Assunta Scutto (ITA) in the final. From being given a first judogi of her own as a teenager by the IJF following the inaugural Mongolian Grand Prix over 10 years ago, she became world champion at age 24, highlighting just how far the young athlete has come. There was also an incredible bronze medal for Sweden’s Tara Babulfath who, at just 18 years of age, has not only qualified for her first Olympic Games, but also has genuine medal prospects.
The -52kg category saw 29-year-old Odette Giuffrida (ITA) win her first world title in what was her eighth senior world championship appearance. There was also a first world medal, a bronze, for Mascha Ballhaus (GER) and a remarkable fifth bronze for Amandine Buchard (FRA).
The final of the -60kg category, in which Giorgi Sardalashvili (GEO) defeated Yung Wei Yang (TPE) to become world champion at just 20 years old, will be remembered for years to come. Throughout the near seven-and-a-half-minute contest, both athletes gave their heart and soul in search of world glory, producing an incredible spectacle which had the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Medal winners aside, there were several performances which will have major implications in the Olympic qualifying race. The 5th place of Yeldos Smetov (KAZ) at -60kg gives the team selectors of Kazakhstan a major headache, as he and his teammates Magzhan Shamshadin and Nurkhanat Serikbayev each occupy a direct qualification position. Meanwhile, the two wins of Angelica Delgado (USA) at -52kg mean that she moves into a direct qualification position, while compatriot John Jayne (-90kg) climbs into a continental quota position as a result.
Despite the extremely high level of judo on display, there were a higher-than-average number of disqualifications for avoidable reasons on day 1, but the IJF refereeing commission is confident that education will prevail and this rate will slow in the subsequent days of the event.
Though it is still very early, Italy tops the medal table after the first day with one gold and one silver, followed closely by Mongolia and Georgia. With Japan resting most of their Olympic selectees at this event, can any of the other nations do the unthinkable and prevent them from topping the medal table once more in Abu Dhabi?
Find out by watching all the action as it happens live at JudoTV.com, or on the move with the recently-launched JudoTV app. Day 2 of the competition kicks off at 10:30 local time as the athletes in the -66kg, -73kg and -57kg categories take their shots at a world title.