No strangers to the biggest medals, the Croatian women have been a small but formidable force for some years, spearheaded by their role model, Olympic and world champion Barbara Matic. Behind her though are some serious names and they have come out in force in Zagreb.
In 2022 Lara Cvjetko, then just 20, shocked the rest of the -70 kg field by following her senpai into the final of the Tashkent World Championships. Her silver medal was then doubled this summer in Budapest, adding to a growing list of world class results. Cvjetko now brings with her two sisters into the fray, also starting to make names for themselves.
From Matic to Cvjetko, other names must be watched: Kristo, 5th at the Paris Olympic Games; Oberan, 3-time grand slam medallist; Puljiz, 4-time grand slam medallist. At home they will be at their most confident. Opponents, beware!
Two: New in Weight but Not New to Judo
Olympic, World and European medallist Chelsie Giles (GBR) has made her move from -52 kg to -57 kg. She has taken medals at two European Opens in recent weeks, testing the water and making adjustments and here she is ready for her first World Judo Tour outing since the Paris Olympic Games.
Three: Star-Studded Excitement at -81 & -90 kg
These two categories will offer the event a series of high calibre, fascinating match-ups as names such as Matthias Casse, world champion and Olympic medallist, fire up the draw. Casse (BEL) is at the top of the -81 kg sheet and is clearly the most decorated but below him Esposito (ITA), Aregba (FRA), Parlati (ITA) and Galandarzade (AZE) will be hunting for spectacular wins.
At -90 kg, Georgia’s 2023 world champion Luka Maisuradze carries the red rag, while Olympic medallists Ngayap Hambou (FRA) and Tselidis (GRE) are likely to be among the leaders of the chasing pack. This category will deliver a dynamic burst of energy, with some of the most unpredictable stylists on the Tour anticipated to bring surprises.
Tune in to JudoTV to catch all the action live and uninterrupted from 11am on Friday 14th November.