The outstanding favourite is Inal Tasoev (RUS). Currently world number one, Tasoev has rarely lost and, even when he has, he has still reached the podium. It is a measure of the consistency of the reigning world champion. Crowned in Budapest last year, he is clearly the man to beat and that will be no easy task. His technical and tactical command, quality of positioning, reactions and anticipation make him the leading heavyweight of the moment. In Baku, he could reinforce that status.
Yet the road will not necessarily be straightforward. Tasoev could encounter Olympic silver medallist Minjong Kim (KOR) quickly or Japan’s Kanta Nakano. Further on in the draw, Lukas Krpalek (CZE) and Magomedomar Magomedomarov (UAE) are also waiting. It is an exceptional field.
Pool B appears more open, with several names seen regularly at the business end of the World Judo Tour. Irakli Demetrashvili (GEO), Jur Spijkers (NED) and Ibrahim Tataroglu (TUR) are all serious prospects for a place in the semi-finals.
Further down the draw, another Russian judoka leads the way: Valerii Endovitskii. At 26, he is already world number two and arrives fresh from a victory at the Hungary Grand Slam, only a few weeks ago. Guram Tushishvili (GEO) will not be far away either. World champion in Baku in 2018, he would relish the opportunity to return to the summit of the sport. Meanwhile, Martti Puumalainen (FIN) is aiming for a first world medal at his sixth appearance at the event.
In the final quarter, the host nation will have its strongest chances through Ushangi Kokauri (AZE) and Kanan Nasibov (AZE), offering Azerbaijan further medal possibilities on home soil. Every option remains open but there can be only one world champion. The draw is set. All that remains is the final outcome, which will bring the individual competition in Baku to a close.