Glittering ceremony marks opening of World Judo Championships in Abu Dhabi

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The World Judo Championships – Abu Dhabi 2024 were off to a blistering and memorable start with the auspicious attendance of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence at the sprawling Mubadala Arena, on Monday.

Replete with touches expressing fragrant heritage, diversity and unity of the UAE while carrying the message of love and tolerance to the world, the second day of competition witnessed the crowning of three brand-new world champions, among other things.

Meanwhile, it was honours squared as Italy’s Odette Giuffrida clinched her maiden world crown in the -52kg category, while Georgia’s Giorgi Sardalashvili defeated Taipei’s Yung Wei Yang claimed the men’s -60kg title, and third seed Baasankhuu Bavuudorj of Mongolia stunned world number one Assunta Scutto of Italy for the -48kg category to liven up things at the end of the opening day’s action in the UAE Capital.

Monday’s opening ceremony witnessed the broadcast of a message via video reflecting the tolerance, love and diversity that Abu Dhabi and the UAE are rightfully proud of as home to more than 200 nationalities from across the world.

A group of performers were on hand to display Emirati heritage represented by the music of the land played on the oud, and the Emirati rizqa, the traditional folk dance, in addition to displays of judo skills.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Mohammed Bin Thaloub Al Darei, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the 2024 World Judo Championships and President of the Emirates Judo Federation, Marius Weiser, President of the International Judo Federation, Nasser Al Tamimi, Secretary General of the Emirates Judo Federation and Director of the World Judo Championships, and representatives of sponsors and participating delegations.

Marius Vizer, President of the International Judo Federation was effusive in his opening remarks to the audience in which he thanked the UAE and its astute leadership.

“I thank the UAE for the continued cooperation in promoting and developing our sport of judo. This is a country of peace, friendship and culture, and the leadership realizes that the fruit of investing in sports is a truly an investment for generations ahead towards a better future. I am also grateful to all of our judo family for participating in this event, along with all our sponsors, the media and the guests and judo fans,” Vizer said.

Nasser Al Tamimi, Secretary General of the Emirates Judo Federation and Director of the World Judo Championship - Abu Dhabi 2024, was pleased to be part of this historic event that has witnessed a record participation from across the globe.

“On behalf of Mohammed bin Thaloub Al Darei, President of the Emirates Judo Federation, we extend our thanks and gratitude to our wise government for its unlimited support for sports, specifically judo. We also thank the International Judo Federation for its support in holding the World Judo Championship here, and we thank the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Sports Channels, sponsors and partners for the support they have provided to make this a huge success,” Al Tamimi said.

Marius Weiser speaks as Nasser Al Tamimi looks on.

On the opening day of the competition on Sunday, a total of 131 athletes were seen in action in the three weight categories. There was action aplenty with eight of the world’s top-10 figuring in each of the categories - the -48kg, -52kg and -60kg. And all three categories did not disappoint with the gold medallists becoming world champions for the very first time in their careers.

Third seed and 24-year-old Baasankhuu Bavuudorj of Mongolia was the pick of the lot as she defeated world number one Assunta Scutto of Italy in the final of the -48kg. Sweden’s Tara Babulfath who, at just 18 years, has not only qualified for her first Olympic Games, but also has genuine medal prospects, took the bronze.

The -52kg category saw 29-year-old Odette Giuffrida of Italy defeat Uzbekistan’s Diyora Keldiyorova to win her first world title in what was her eighth senior world championship appearance. Already the European champion and a double Olympic medallist in her category, Giuffrida can now hope for her form to stay as she keeps her sights on Paris 2024.

Mascha Ballhaus of Germany helped herself to a remarkable first world bronze, while Frenchwoman Amandine Buchard had to settle for her fifth senior bronze medal in the weight category.

Perhaps, the most memorable fight on the opening night was in the -60kg category with Georgia’s Giorgi Sardalashvili defeating Taipei’s Yung Wei Yang to become one of the youngest world champions at just 20 years.

Throughout the near seven-and-a-half-minute contest, both athletes gave their heart and soul in search of world glory, producing an incredible spectacle which had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

The final was one of the greatest seen at a world championship in recent times. Yang dominated the early exchanges, beating Sardalashvili to the first attack every time, and the Georgian quickly picked up two penalties.

However, Sardalashvili worked his way back into the match, forcing two false attacks from Yang and two penalties for his opponent as a result. The fight entered golden score and both fighters continued attacking at an exhausting rate.

Sardalashvili secured a hold-down, but Yang escaped after a few seconds and later secured his own, much tighter hold down after an extended period on the ground, but Sardalashvili produced yet more heroics to escape after just seven seconds.

In the following exchange, the Georgian struck the deciding blow, countering a low seoi-nage attempt from Yang to take him backwards to score waza-ari. Sardalashvili becomes senior world champion at just 20 years of age, a remarkable feat which will give him masses of confidence going into this summer’s Paris Olympic Games. Taiki Nakamura of Japan and Korea’s Harim Lee won the bronze medals.

The three UAE judokas displayed encouraging standards, but did not end with any medals on the opening two days of competition.

The UAE’s Khorloodoi Bishrelt went down in her second-round bout against Switzerland’s Binta Ndiaye in their Pool A bout of the women’s -52kg category, while Narmandakhakh Yanmunkh went down to Russia’s Murad Chopanov in the men’s -66kg.

Karim Abdulaev of the UAE found a tough opponent in Ruslan Halavachou in Pool B of the men’s -73kg, while Altantsetseg Batsukh fell against Marica Perisic of Serbia in their opening match.

The World Judo Championships – Abu Dhabi 2024 is the flagship event of the IJF World Judo Tour, while also being the last competition for participants to garner valuable points in an attempt to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games later this summer.

Though it is still very early, Italy tops the medal table after the first day with one gold and one silver, followed closely by Mongolia and Georgia with a gold medal each. With Japan resting most of their Olympic selectees at this event, the judo world could see some other country take the top spot in Abu Dhabi.