Highlights From the Women’s Preliminaries - Day 4

Himashi Tokas (IND) has been on the senior circuit for sometime, more than 4 years in fact, despite being only 21. The experience she is gaining cannot be ignored. A few medals from cups and opens can be seen on her CV but she is now ready to face bigger challenges and in Baku she started her day with a brilliant counter that will yield significant points on her path towards Los Angeles.

Tokas is not alone when it comes to meeting challenge. Anna Kriza (HUN) won a cadet world bronze medal in 2019 but has absolutely no reference on the senior World Judo Tour, barring a 7th place in Tbilisi this year. She is ranked 54th in the world but on day 4 in Baku she defeated Olympic and 6-time world champion Clarisse Agbegnenou. Clarisse has not left a world championships without a medal since 2014 but we get the feeling that she still has more to give; we will see her again!

Anna Kriza, 23 years old, and just finding her feet among the seniors, has an incredible moment to absorb as she moves into the final block of any IJF event since becoming a senior. What more could any judoka need in terms of building confidence. For the judo public it is bittersweet; amazing to see a young judoka find the power to do something magnificent but sad to see Clarisse lose when she really does have the hearts of judoka everywhere in her hands.

From one champion to another, the seemingly invincible Haruka Kaju was in play in Baku on this 4th day of the worlds. The reigning 2025 champion went through the group with precision, unwavering composure and perfect technical decision-making, reaching the final by scoring several times against the 2024 champion, Joanne Van Lieshout (NED).

There is much to look forward to in the day’s final block: Huraka Kaju going for a second gold in as many years, Kriza battling for a medal at this level for the first time, double European champion Renata Zachova (CZE) looking for her first senior world medal, and much more.

Stay tuned to JudoTV.com to watch all the action live.