-63kg: Renshall to Move Further Up?
It is all about momentum in Olympic year and Lucy Renshall (GBR) has got that going for her in 2024. After bagging a grand prix gold at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Odivelas, the 28-year-old finished with a bronze at the grand slam in Paris. Coming to Tashkent as the top seed, the world number three will hope to add to her tally but won’t have it easy. Standing in her way is the towering Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA).
The Olympic champion made the most of the grand slam in Paris earlier this year, winning the title in front of a passionate home crowd but on neutral ground there could be a surprise or two as we have seen in the recent past. Also in the mix is Gili Sharir (ISR), who will be aiming to better her fifth place finish from Baku. Joining the Israeli star is Andreja Leski (SLO), the reigning European champion and world silver medallist, with both yet to open their account for 2024.
-70kg: Niizoe vs Butkereit
Saki Niizoe (JPN) will have fond memories of the Humo Arena, where she won a mixed team gold and an individual bronze at the 2022 World Championships. The world number four upgraded her bronze to gold in Doha last year and is a serial winner. With the top three in the world deciding to sit this one out, the Japanese star should be able to take the top prize. However, Miriam Butkereit (GER) may disagree.
With a sensational gold-medal-winning performance in Paris where she beat local hero Marie-Eve Gahie (FRA), we may have an exciting finish to the category. Elvismar Rodríguez (VEN), seeded third, will look to bring some Latin flavour to the mix, while Olympic bronze medallist Madina Taimazova (AIN) has all the skills and talent to grab the yellow metal.
-73kg: Yuldoshev Targeting Tashkent Double
The Uzbeks know how to turn on the noise and they will do all they can to cheer Murodjon Yuldoshev (UZB). The 28-year-old top seed has only one grand slam gold to his name, having won the category last year. He also proved his mettle at the World Championships Doha with a bronze and will be targeting the defence of his crown. Another strong contender is fellow countryman Shakhram Ahadov who got the ball rolling with a bronze in Paris in 2024.
Meanwhile, Manuel Lombardo (ITA), sandwiched between the home heroes as the second seed, has a rich history of winning. Both Lombardo and Ahadov have competed at -66 kg and -73 kg and have settled in well at the higher weight. The duo will look to make a strong statement with Paris 2024 looming. With four grand slam gold medals, Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov (AIN) is another one to look out for.
-81kg: Casse’s Gold to Lose
Is there a better way to jump on to the tatami than as the world number one and top seed? Matthias Casse (BEL) is indeed the one to beat in the weight class. A Paris gold means the Belgian has already tasted victory in 2024. The former world champion’s closest rival in terms of rankings is Shamil Borchashvili (AUT), with whom he shared Olympic bronze in Tokyo. The world number nine, however, has not won a gold at grand slam level and will be targeting better than his silver from the Uzbek capital last year.
Meanwhile, defending champion and veteran Attila Ungvari (HUN) will count on his experience to shock the favourites. Vedat Albayrak (TUR) is another one of the Odivelas medallists in action on day two and he has plenty of reasons to believe he can go all the way. With only one world ranking and seeding separating the two, the duo will do everything possible to collect crucial ranking points in Tashkent.