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4 million dirhams for first-place finishers, and Japan has been on the throne of the game for 68 years
Mohammed bin Thaloub Al-Darai: The tournament is the biggest and most important stage before the start of the Paris Olympics
Abu Dhabi May 18, 2024:
The 37th edition of the World Judo Championship “Abu Dhabi 2024” will begin tomorrow, Sunday, which is considered the largest edition with the participation of 682 athletes of both genders from 110 countries, with the presence of the elite of the top international rankings competing in the event, which continues until next Friday, the 24th of this month, at the “Mubadala Arena.” .
Following the “electronic lottery” ceremony that took place today, the program of fights was approved, which will be held in two periods: the morning for the qualifiers and the evening for the final. The first day of the tournament, tomorrow, Sunday, will witness the holding of the men’s competitions for the weight category under 60 kg, and the women’s competitions for the weight category under 48 kg and under 52 kg. The morning session will start at 11 am, and the evening session will start at 6 pm local time.
The activities of the second day will begin on Monday, May 20, starting at 10:30 in the morning, with qualifiers for weight categories under 66 kg and 73 kg for men, and under 57 kg for women, with the official opening ceremony of the tournament starting at 5:15 pm, and the closing bouts will be held starting at six o’clock. evening.
On the third day, Tuesday, May 21, the men’s under 81 kg and women’s under 63 kg competitions will be held, with the qualifiers starting at 12 noon, and the final starting at six in the evening.
On the fourth day, Wednesday, May 22, the men’s under 90 kg competitions, and the women’s under 70 and 78 kg competitions, will be held, with the qualifiers starting at 11 am, and the final starting at six in the evening.
On the fifth day, Thursday, May 23, the men’s competitions for weights under and above 100 kg, and the women’s competitions for weights over 78 kg, will be held. The qualifiers will begin at 12 noon, and the final will begin at six in the evening.
The sixth and final day, Friday, May 24, will be dedicated to the team championship competitions, with the qualifiers starting at 12 noon, and the end starting at 6 p.m.
The total financial prizes allocated to the first-place winners amount to 1 million euros (about 4 million UAE dirhams), which will be allocated to players and coaches to ensure the inclusion of all aspects of the game in this noble Olympic sport.
Al-Diri: The largest and most important station
Mohammed bin Thaloub Al Darei, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee of the World Judo Championship – Abu Dhabi 2024, President of the UAE Federation, confirmed that holding this tournament in Abu Dhabi reflects the prominent Emirati efforts at the international level to develop and spread this Olympic game, and said: “The UAE opens its arms to receive athletes.” Participants from various countries of the world, to once again provide a model of tolerance, security and love in the land of goodness and giving, and to consolidate its position thanks to the support of our wise leadership and its vision that seeks to mobilize the enthusiasm of young people and motivate them to excel in various fields. For many years, the UAE has topped the international scene in sports. Judo, by hosting many major tournaments, including Grand Slam tournaments, and the achievements made by our players in major sporting events, amid aspirations of repeatedly climbing onto the podium in the next Olympic Games in Paris, which is what made us embrace this tournament at this particular time given that it is the station. The biggest and most important thing in judo in these four years is that it coincides with the year in which the Olympics are held, which makes athletes reach the peak of their levels in their careers.”
He added: “We wish success to all participating athletes, and that sportsmanship is the prevailing characteristic as we are accustomed to in this sport, which is based on discipline and mutual respect between competitors, because the goal that unites them is the depth of this game and the attempt to excel while adhering to the utmost integrity.”
A historic competition that has been going on for 68 years
The World Judo Championship has a long history with its launch about 68 years ago, specifically in 1958, and Japan tops the list of the most successful countries in this event, after its athletes of both sexes won 407 medals, and the Japanese team excelled in the last six consecutive editions in the championship competitions. Mixed teams: The French team came in second place behind them in the last five editions in a row, which foretells a strong renewed competition between them, noting that French players are the second most awarded medalists historically, with a total of 193 medals.
Standard preparations for “Mubadala Arena”
Mubadala Arena wore its splendid suit to host the World Judo Championships – Abu Dhabi 2024, after preparations were completed within a record period of time, during which the three main fight sites were completed, and the stands and various facilities were prepared according to the highest standards to present an advanced version in all aspects that exceeds the requirements of the federation. International Judo, to pose a challenge to those wishing to embrace future editions.
Mubadala Arena, located in Zayed Sports City, provides multi-purpose indoor spaces, and works at its maximum capacity without stopping throughout the year, by hosting major international tournaments for sports such as jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts and other events.
The UAE national team is ready for the historic event
The UAE national team announced its readiness to participate in the historic event in Abu Dhabi, which includes 8 male and female players, namely Narmand Bayan in the under-66 kg weight, Karim Abdel Latif in the under-73 kg weight, Talal Shafeli in the under-81 kg weight, and Aram Gregorian in the under-90 kg weight. Dhafer Kostov in the under 100 kg weight, Omar Marouf in the over 100 kg weight, Bashirat Khourudi in the under 52 kg weight, and Batsu Altan in the under 57 kg weight.
