Abu Dhabi Opens its Arms to the Judo World: UAE Hosts Prestigious Event / IJF.org

The Abu Dhabi World Championships 2024 kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony that set the stage for an exciting competition ahead. The ceremony, held at the Mubadala Arena, began with the anthems of the UAE and the International Judo Federation, followed by a video welcoming participants and spectators to the Emirati capital.

The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Marius Vizer, the President of the International Judo Federation, and Mr. Nasser Al Tamimi, the General Secretary of the UAE Judo Federation. Mr. Al Tamimi expressed gratitude to the UAE government for their support of sports, including judo, and thanked the IJF and other partners for their contributions to the success of the World Championships.

In his address, Mr. Vizer emphasized the message of peace, unity, and friendship that the championships aimed to convey to the world. He thanked all the national federations, athletes, sponsors, media partners, and spectators for their support and participation in the event.

Special guests at the ceremony included Mr. Albano, the ambassador and singer of the IJF anthem, Mr. Helmuth Duckadam, the renowned goalkeeper, and Mr. Shin Koyamada, an actor from the film ‘The Last Samurai.’ Mr. Vizer also extended birthday wishes to Mr. Albano, adding a touch of celebration to the occasion.

The highlight of the opening day was the thrilling final block, which saw Mimi Huh from Korea, Ryoma Tanaka from Japan, and Hidayat Heydarov from Azerbaijan clinch their first world championship titles in the -57kg, -66kg, and -73kg categories, respectively. The competition was fierce, with standout performances from these athletes captivating the audience.

Following the medal contests, Christa Deguchi secured her spot at the upcoming Olympic Games with a silver medal in the -57kg category. Teammate Jessica Klimkait settled for a bronze, while Luukas Saha’s bronze at -66kg marked a historic moment for Finland, earning him a place at the Olympics as well.

Japan emerged as the early leader in the medal table, with Tanaka’s gold and other podium finishes boosting their position. Italy and Mongolia followed closely behind, setting the stage for an intense battle for supremacy in the remaining days of the competition.

As the Abu Dhabi World Championships 2024 continue, fans can look forward to more action-packed moments as athletes in the -63kg and -81kg categories vie for world titles and crucial Olympic ranking points. The competition promises to deliver more excitement and drama, with live coverage available on JudoTV.com and the new JudoTV app.

Stay tuned for day three of the championships, as the world’s best judoka showcase their skills and determination on the tatami in pursuit of glory and Olympic dreams.