Over three days, spectators and fans can expect fierce contests and spectacular performances as the season approaches its climax. Immediately after Abu Dhabi, athletes will head to Tokyo for the final grand slam of the World Judo Tour calendar in 2025.
This year, no fewer than 400 athletes from 53 nations are expected to compete and several names already stand out as strong contenders. Among them is Distria Krasniqi (KOS), fresh from a dominant victory in Zagreb, as well as another world number one, Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ). The entry list also features several Olympic medallists. Hidayat Heydarov (AZE), European champion, world champion and Olympic gold medallist in 2024, heads a formidable field. After overcoming a challenging period on his return to form, he recently claimed gold at the Guadalajara Grand Prix in Mexico.
Young Swedish star Tara Babulfath will also be looking to rediscover her best judo, while Joan-Benjamin Gaba (FRA) makes his much-anticipated comeback following his spectacular victory at the Budapest World Championships. After a brief diversion into music and a well-deserved rest, the French champion arrives in Abu Dhabi eager to reaffirm his status as one of the powerhouses of this Olympic cycle.
Meanwhile, Alice Bellandi (ITA) comes in as the tournament’s number-two seed, a ranking that perhaps does not fully reflect her status. The reigning world and Olympic champion has just one goal in Abu Dhabi: gold.
Predicting the medal table, however, borders on impossible. Nearly 60 judoka ranked inside the world’s top ten will be present across the categories, highlighting one of the deepest and most competitive fields of the season. Upsets are not only possible, they are almost guaranteed. Which ones? We will find out from 28th November when the action begins.
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