As was the case for the first world circuit events of the year (Portugal, Paris, Baku), the grand slam which will take place over the next three days will see its share of confirmations and surprises. Which ones? Nobody knows yet, but with 495 athletes participating, representing 68 delegations from five continents, the possible combinations are multiple. Each weight category already gives us a glimpse of what awaits us and the least we can say is that the weekend promises to be exciting. We could tell you about the presence of world champions such as Inal Tasoev (AIN) or Saki Niizoe (JPN) or even judo legend Clarisse Agbegenou (FRA). But for the moment, let's focus on the five categories that will be in action during day one. We note that as International Women's Day approaches, arriving 8th March, the entries of this event are almost equal as 255 men and 240 women will participate, showing that judo is fully dedicated to #InspireInclusion.
-48kg: Scutto vs Babulfath
After her third place in Paris at the beginning of February, her three grand slam victories in 2023, her world bronze medal, as well as that of the World Judo Masters, Assunta Scutto (ITA) has fully deserved her world number one position. She therefore arrives in Tashkent with the aura of this status but also with the pressure which is inherent in such ranking. What is certain is that since the Doha World Championships 2023, Scutto has systematically and repeatedly reached the WJT podia and often heads right to the top step. Will this still be the case in Tashkent? If all goes well for her, she could find Katharina Menz (GER) in the quarter-final and one or the other Mongolian judoka in the semi-final.
In the second part of the draw, we will follow Tara Babulfath (SWE) closely, who surprised everyone in Baku two weeks ago by winning the gold medal. She is not yet among the seeds in Tashkent but that could change soon. For this she will undoubtedly have to face Milica Nikolic (SRB) again, as she did in the Baku final, or Marusa Stangar (SLO), Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ) or even Maria Celia Laborde (USA), only strong judoka standing between her and o potential final against Scutto. For the moment these later rounds are a work of fiction.
-60kg: Many Judoka Can Shine
We haven't seen him too much since his world bronze medal in 2023 in Doha. It’s not that he didn't go out on the world circuit but that the results didn't follow. Giorgi Sardalashvili (GEO) nevertheless arrives in Tashkent from 6th in world ranking and as the top seed. This could help him greatly but in the first round he must face Kamoliddin Bakhtiyorov (UZB), who at home will undoubtedly want to shine. A second Georgian thought, Lukhumi Chkhvimiani, could steal the show from his compatriot in the same quarter of the draw.
In Pool B, it is the path of Frenchman Romain Valadier-Picard that will interest us. After a disappointing 7th place in Paris in February, he wants to confirm that he can compete with the best, which he already demonstrated by winning a European bronze medal in November 2023 and by taking part in several World Judo Tour medal ceremonies.
Further ahead in the draw, we will follow, especially the local public will follow Dilshodbek Baratov (UZB) while judo fans in Mongolia will be interested in Ariunbold Enkhtaivan (MGL).
-52kg: Amandine and the Others
It was planned that she would take part in the Paris Grand Slam but a few days before the big Parisian meeting, she withdrew, not feeling ready and not wanting to commit if she was not at 100% of her capacities. Amandine Buchard's physical and mental condition has improved and we are delighted to see her back. She will be the top seed, clearly. She will nevertheless have, in her half of the draw, Soumiya Iraoui (MAR) who progresses with each of her outings, and Kokoro Fujishiro (JPN). The latter is almost completely unknown on the world circuit but we know that this doesn't mean much for Japanese judoka. Who is she? We will know soon.
Even if we begin with Amandine and the others, among these others there will be very good names in world judo. To name just a few: Chelsie Giles (GBR), who we know often poses problems for Buchard, Mascha Ballhaus (GER), Khorloodoi Bishrelt (UAE). Nothing is written ahead of time and we are happy about that.
-66kg: Places and Points to Take
7th in Paris in February, then 5th in Baku two weeks ago, can Willian Lima (BRA) still progress and get to the podium or even win the tournament? It's possible, given the progress of the Brazilian judoka, but the competition will be tough in a weight category where anything seems possible.
In the absence of the big names of the moment in this category, there are places and points to be taken. This promises us tough, competitive contests, during which no one will give up. We like this uncertainty. There will be four Uzbeks, a discreet Japanese judoka named Ryoma Tanaka, winner of the World Judo Masters last year all the same, Georgians and many other judoka who could appear on the podium at the end of the day.
-57kg: Silva Wants to Lay Evidence
She likes to be number one. She has already been there often, including during world championships and during the Olympic Games. If today she is no longer as flamboyant as during those years when she seemed untouchable, Rafaela Silva (BRA) remains a sure bet in the category. What is certain is that she still wants to fight. She doesn't give up and it's nice to see. In the race towards a new Olympic qualification, which should be no problem, and towards a new podium at the top of Olympus, she will be seeded number one in Tashkent. However, as we have said, Silva is no longer infallible and that whets appetites.
Pauline Starke (GER), Haruka Funakubo (JPN), Timna Nelson Levy (ISR), to name just a few because we cannot name everyone, will want to show that today they are the masters of the category, even in the absence of Deguchi (CAN), Klimkait (CAN), Cysique (FRA), Huh (KOR) and Gjakova (KOS). All this promises us a great show in Tashkent.
The first contests will therefore take place from 9 a.m. local time at the Humo Arena in Tashkent, with the final block beginning at 5 p.m. Follow all the action live on https://judotv.com/