In addition to a highly prestigious title and the chance to catch the right pace in the last competition before the Olympics, Budapest will be the theatre of an all-out battle between compatriots seeking to qualify for Tokyo.
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Almost all the fish have been sold in the –48kg category. We already know that two of the first four in the world ranking will be present and will be favourites, both in Hungary and in Japan. This is Distria Krasniqi (KOS) and Munkhbat Urantsetseg (MGL).
Maybe we should keep our eyes on Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh (KAZ) too, the Olympic bronze medallist in Rio, always surprising judo fans with magnificent Ura-nage throws. What about the Serbians; have they made their choice already? Only Milica Nikolic is fighting in Budapest. What we also do not know is who the Spanish representative will be in Tokyo. That will depend on what happens in Budapest.
Julia Figueroa is currently the world number six. She has not had it easy because, in an atypical and shorter season than usual, she has suffered from tough and constant competition from Laura Martínez, twelfth in the ranking. In December Martínez even went ahead! Both have had to participate in each and every one of the World Judo Tour events since November. Besides being better than their other rivals, they had to watch what the other was doing constantly, to try to do better and score more points. They even faced each other directly and the last time that happened, Figueroa won.
It was a short but strenuous race, the final chapter of which will take place in Budapest. For the moment, Figueroa has a comfortable advantage, but since judo is not an exact science, if Martinez won the world title, Figueroa's Olympic dream would remain just that, a dream.
The same, but even more acute, situation occurs in the -57kg category. Here we talk directly about the first two in the world ranking. Christa Deguchi is the current world champion and category leader, but she has been leading it for a very short time because, between November and April, the number one was Jessica Klimkait. They are the crème de la crème for a Canadian contingent that has made dazzling progress among men and women alike and must be counted on in any tournament, especially since Deguchi's re-appearance. Right now both are the best, practically untouchable. The problem is that only one can participate in the Games. To decide fairly, the Canadian Federation has summoned them to resolve any doubts in Budapest. From there the Canadian representative will stand up in the -57kg category and perhaps with a new world title. What will happen if both of them finished on the Hungarian rostrum, a bronze for each? Canada could be making an uncomfortable selection just 3 weeks before the Games?
Momo Tamaoki (JPN) won a silver medal at the Masters in 2019 and may have a word to say about these predictions. Tamaoki is making her first steps on to a World Championship stage as a senior, having won gold at the juniors in 2014, but we all know how the Japanese team are when attending the biggest competitions. There will be no easy route to gold for Jessica or Christa. There is a long road before either title, with big favourites in the way, such as Monteiro from Portugal, whom, at 35 years old is searching for her 1st world crown, despite 3 near misses hanging in her trophy cabinet.
From Spain or Canada the only outcome we can really ponder is the domestic selection for the Games, because despite extraordinary calibre, those selections say nothing of the final medals and their prospective owners in either Budapest or Tokyo.
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Speaking of champions, we cannot ignore the presence of three other current world champions, all from the impressive French women's team. We will see how the quadruple world champion, dominator of the -63kg category and first contender for Olympic gold, Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA), is doing. We will also see her compatriot, Madéleine Malonga, also current world champion, at -78 kg, equally overwhelming and a clear favourite in Tokyo. Finally, although she will not be present in Tokyo, because the French Federation has preferred to take Margaux Pinot there, we will also see the world champion Marie-Eve Gahié, at –70kg. It will be an excellent opportunity to check the fitness of some women who raise high expectations wherever they step.
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Joshiro Maruyama (JPN) fans will have the chance to watch him shine in Budapest at the World Championships, after losing his battle for the Olympics to his team-mate Abe Hifumi. Maruyama may not be Olympic champion this year, but another world title is not a bad reward for his admirable sportsmanship and skill and his appearance will be a hot topic of conversation for onlookers the world over.
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It is worth noting the choice of Georgia for the World Championships. It is true that there will be the number one at -100kg, runner-up at a previous worlds and Olympics, Varlam Liparteliani. He will be joined by former London Olympic champion, Lasha Shavdatuashvili at -73kg and number three at –66kg and author of a successful season, with several medals, Vazha Margvelashvili. Both have been part of the elite for years, but the Georgians will bring something else to Budapest: their new generation of promising youngsters who have already started to hit hard on the World Judo Tour.
For example, Bagrati Niniashvili in the –66kg category, Gela Zaalishvili in the heavyweights, Temur Nozadze in the lightest category, Luka Maisuradze at -90kg and not forgetting the young Eteri Liparteliani at –57kg. All of them are between 21 and 23 years old, have already attended several tournaments at the highest level and have even won medals and places of honour. They are proof that the Georgian school continues to produce future champions in abundance.
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Finally, Budapest will also be a twilight dance for one of the longest races on the circuit. Miklos Ungvari, with four Olympic Games behind him, will put an end to his life as a professional judoka, at the age of 41; an age that, in a sport as demanding as judo, indicates the dedication, discipline and sacrifice that have accompanied this exceptional man. He will retire either at home and at this World Championships, or if he takes a medal he also could qualify for an unimaginable fifth Olympic Games and fight side by side with his younger brother, Attila Ungvari. Miklos won the Budapest Grand Prix at the age of 39, with the public cheering. We all know what it means to compete with the warm support of home and so one way or another Miklos will retire in a big way!
