A post by Bloody Elbow Grappling Team member and Judo bum Ananse
For this entire week (August 25th to the 31st) the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, otherwise known for dozens of dashboard videos of a meteor exploding over it, shall be hosting the 2014 Judo world championships. The order of competition shall be as below:
Monday August 25th
-60kg Men, -48kg Women
Tuesday August 25th
-66kg Men, -52kg Women
Wednesday August 27th
-73kg Men, -57kg Women
Thursday August 28th
-81kg Men, -63kg Women
Friday August 29th
-90kg Men, -70kg & -78kg Women
Saturday August 30th
-100kg & +100kg Men, -78kg Women
Sunday August 31st
World Team Championships (One man each at -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, +90kg/ One woman each -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, +70kg)
People to watch today:
Men:
Japan is fielding two men at this weight. Masashi Ebinuma (2013 world champ, London bronze medalist) is a known quantity and should make the podium even if he is sharing a pool with THe always entertaining and deadly Georgii Zantaraia of Ukraine. Japan’s other entry is the one I’m more intrigued by though. Kengo Takaichi is just 21 years old, but is undefeated this year, including the 2014 All Japan Championships and the Budapest Grand Prix. He might prove to be a bit of a dark horse in this one.
I’d also advise keeping a strong eye on 2014 European champ Loic Korval of France. He is a bit inconsistent at times, but when he is on, there is no one in the division he can’t give a bad day. SInce this is in Russia, also watch out for Mikhail Pulyaev (2014 European bronze medalist, Paris Grand Slam winner). He is at home and will want to make a statement. Finally, Davaadorj Tumurkhuleg of Mongolia is always a threat, as is Uzbekistan’s Rishod Sobirov and Colin Oates of the UK is very much a viable dark horse.
Women:
This division is still pretty much owned by 2013 World champ and 2014 European champ Majlinda Kelmendi of Kosovo. She has yet to lose this year, only lost twice last year and has beaten pretty much everyone of note in her division. That doesn’t mean she is assured of a place though, there is enough really good competition coming up against her to make things interesting.
On my list of women to watch, 2x Olympic silver medalist Yanet Bermoy Acosta of Cuba, 2013 world bronze medalist Bundmaa Munkhbataar of Mongolia, London bronze medalist Priscilla Gneto of France, 2013 World silver medalist Erika Miranda of Brazil and 2013 World Bronze medalist Yuki Hashimoto of Japan.
There will be lots of good fights, so enjoy them.
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