The 2024 World Championships Juniors is just around the corner. Dushanbe is set to host a spectacular edition of the IJF’s flagship -21 event and the world’s best juniors are responding clearly, with their attendance as the evidence of their will to win. 67 nations and 539 judoka are registered for the individual event while 17 teams are entered for the final day of judo in the Tajik capital.

Returning junior world champions from 2023 include Auchecorne (FRA) at -63 kg, Galandarzade (AZE) at -73 kg and Kawabata (JPN) at -90 kg, all of whom have held their position at the top of the world rankings for the entire year. Galandarzade is also the reigning European junior champion after he dominated his category in Tallinn just 4 weeks ago. Kawabata hasn’t fought a junior event since last year’s meet in Odivelas but has gained plenty of experience with Japan selecting him to compete on the World Judo Tour instead.

Komei Kawabata (JPN) was in great form in Odivelas, 2023.

These three judoka are all world number ones, 3 of the 12 present on the entry list. Of the 12, two come from Azerbaijan. Two from Italy, two from Brazil and one each from the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, Georgia, France, Japan and Canada, meaning three continents are represented in top spots.

Vusal Galandarzade (AZE), junior world champion in 2023.

Among the 12, all have long lists of accolades and none will be willing to accept an empty pocket on their flight home from Dushanbe, so the draw will, as always be all-important. Get ready for it! The draw will be live on JudoTV at 2pm local time on Tuesday 1st October.

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