If we take a closer look at the entry lists, we see that there are already 644 athletes registered across the fourteen weight categories, with parity almost visible between men (52%) and women (48%).
97 countries are registered, representing the 5 continents. Even if the figures will still change a little as the official draw, which will take place at 2pm on Saturday 6th May, approaches, we already have a fairly precise idea of what awaits competitors and judo fans around the world.
An important indicator is the number of world number ones who are engaged in Doha. 13 of the 14 weight categories are announced:
- Shirin Boukli (FRA, -48kg)
- Rafaela Silva (BRA, -57kg)
- Lucy Renshall (GBR, -63kg)
- Barbara Matic (CRO, -70kg)
- Alice Bellandi (IRA, -78kg)
- Romane Dicko (FRA, +78kg)
- Yang Yung Wei (TPE, -60kg)
- Denis Vieru (MDA, -66kg)
- Lasha Shavdatuashvili (GEO, -73kg)
- Tato Grigalashvili (GEO, -81kg)
- Davalat Bobonov (UZB, -90kg)
- Ilia Sulamanidze (GEO, -100kg)
- Temur Rakhimov (TJK, +100kg)
Among these athletes and among the rest of the troops, reigning or previous world champions and world and Olympic medallists can be counted, in spades. We can therefore expect to see them in almost every match, which proves the dynamism of world judo.
Finally, it should be noted that Uzbekistan, Italy, Mongolia, Korea, Kazakhstan, Japan and France will arrive in Qatar with 18 competitors each and with exact parity between men and women. Will this be an advantage? We will know soon.
While waiting to immerse ourselves in the excitement that a world championship never fails to bring, get ready to experience the event at https://live.ijf.org. It will be fun for sure and the event will stay in our minds as there is little more than a year to go before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.