2023 Judo World Championships in Doha, Qatar: Preview, schedule and how to watch
A strong field of competitors, including multiple world champions Teddy Riner and Clarisse Agbegnenou, are vying for a total of 15 judo titles and Olympic qualifying points in Doha, Qatar, from 7-14 May.
Judo
Get ready for an exciting week of gripping action as the highly-anticipated 62nd edition of the World Judo Championships is set to take place from 7-14 May in Doha, Qatar.
For the first time in history, the capital city of the Arabian Gulf country will host this prestigious event, which is expected to attract over 600 competitors from approximately 100 countries.
With 15 world titles up for grabs, including 7 individual categories for men and women, and a team event on the final day, the competition promises to be a thrilling showcase of skill, strength, and technique.
In addition to crowning world champions, the competition will also count towards qualification for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with each judoka able to earn up to 2,000 points - the highest possible - for the Olympic ranking.
Among the headliners are French stars Teddy Riner, who has won the title 10 times, and Clarisse Agbegnenou, a five-time world champion.
At the 2022 World Judo Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Japan emerged as the dominant force with five world titles, followed by Brazil and the host nation Uzbekistan, each with two titles.
Read on to find out which judo stars will be competing and how to watch the action unfold at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
World Judo Championships Doha 2023: Teddy Riner seeking unprecedented 11th title
Double Olympic champion Teddy Riner will bid to extend his World championship gold-medal record in Doha.
“I am motivated like never before,” the 34-year-old told reporters.
"These World Championships will allow me to challenge the competition, to position myself relative to this competition."
After missing last year's event due to an ankle injury, the Frenchman is back to the Worlds after six years of absence and is hoping to continue his dominant streak. Aside from his debut in 2006, Riner has always emerged victorious in each of the following 10 editions he has taken part in.
This season Riner made his international return in February by winning the Paris Grand Slam and has recently expressed interest in continuing his career until the Olympics Los Angeles 2028.
The five-time Olympic medallist, who is still recovering from a minor finger injury, plans to focus on the individual competition and is unlikely to compete in the mixed team event.
2023 Judo World Championships: Eyes on Clarisse Agbegnenou and Uta siblings
Judo enthusiasts are eager to see Clarisse Agbegnenou compete in the World Judo Championships.
The two-time Tokyo 2020 gold medallist became a mother last summer and returned to competition in February at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam, where she finished seventh amid controversy with the French Federation over sponsorship issues.
Agbegnenou, 30, is aiming to claim a sixth title in the -63kg class which would take her to just one individual gold away from the all-time individual record for a female judoka held by Japan's Tani Ryoko and China's Tong Wen, both with seven.
The strong Japanese team, headlined by Olympic champions Abe Hifumi and Uta, aims to top the medal table once again.
Three-time champion Hifumi will likely battle it out for the -66kg title against long-time rival Maruyama Joshiro, while sister Uta aims to defend her crown from Tashkent in the highly contested women's -52kg category. Kosovo's Distria Krasniqi, France's Amandine Buchard, and Great Britain's Chelsie Giles are all vying for a medal in that category.
Following the retirement of reigning double Olympic champion Ono Shohei, the men's -73kg division looks wide open with 2017 champion Hashimoto Soichi looking to fill the gap left by his fellow Japanese.
One judoka to watch in Doha is Lukas Krpalek who has returned to the -100kg class after winning Olympic and world gold at super-heavyweight. The Czech is seeking a third global crown and the second in his "old" category.
For those interested in the best young prospects, keep an eye on two-time junior world champion Ai Tsunoda Roustant in the women's -70kg. The 21-year-old Spaniard claimed three consecutive Grand Slam podiums, including a win in Paris, and could be one of the surprises in Doha.
2023 Judo World Championships: Main stars to watch in each weight class
Men
- -60kg Takato Naohisa (Japan), Yang Yung Wei (Chinese Taipei)
- -66kg Abe Hifumi (Japan), Maruyama Joshiro (Japan)
- -73kg Hashimoto Soichi (Japan), Lasha Shavdatuashvili (Georgia)
- -81kg Matthias Casse (Belgium), Tato Grigalashvili (Georgia)
- -90 kg Lasha Bekauri (Georgia), Davlat Bobonov (Uzbekistan)
- -100 kg Ilia Sulamanidze (Georgia), Michael Korrel (Netherlands)
- +100kg Teddy Riner (France), Saro Tatsuru (Japan)
Women
- -48kg Tsunoda Natsumi (Japan), Shirine Boukli (France)
- -52 kg Abe Uta (Japan), Amandine Buchard (France), Distria Krasniqi (Kosovo)
- -57kg Rafaela Silva (Brazil), Nora Gjakova (Kosovo)
- -63kg Clarisse Agbegnenou (France), Horikawa Megumi (Japan)
- -70kg Barbara Matic (Croatia), Niizoe Saki (Japan)
- -78kg Alice Bellandi (Italy), Audrey Tcheumeo (France)
- +78kg Romane Dicko (France), Akira Sone (Japan)
2023 World Judo Championships: Schedule
Final Blocks start at 19:00 local time (UTC+3)
- Sunday 7 May: women’s -48kg; men’s -60kg
- Monday 8 May: women’s -52kg; men’s -66kg
- Tuesday 9 May: women’s -57kg; men’s -73kg
- Wednesday 10 May: women’s -63kg; men’s -81kg
- Thursday 11 May: women’s -70kg; men’s -90kg
- Friday 12 May: women’s -78kg, men’s -100kg
- Saturday 13 May: women’s +78kg, men’s +100kg
- Sunday 14 May: mixed teams event
2023 World Judo Championships: How to watch
Broadcast details will be published on the IJF website closer to the start of the event.
2023 Judo World Championships: The road to Paris 2024
Athletes can earn up to 2,000 ranking points towards qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics if they win the 2023 world title.
The qualification period for Paris 2024 started on 24 June 2022 and the top 17 countries across the 7 weight categories on 23 June 2024 in the IJF World Ranking List will earn a quota place. If within the same weight category a NOC has more than one athlete ranked in the top 17, the NOC can decide which of these athletes will receive the quota place.
World Judo Championships: Key facts
The men’s competition was first held in 1956, while women had their own event from 1980 to 1986. Since 1987 the championships are mixed and take place once every year, except if there’s an Olympic Games. From 2017 the Worlds include a mixed team event, which made its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 in 2021.
What's the country with most titles/medals at the Judo World Championships?
Japan top the all-time medal count with 170 titles (and 395 medals), followed by France (61 titles and 185 medals) and South Korea (29,104).
Who won most judo world titles?
France's Teddy Riner has claimed 10 individual gold medals. Japan's Ryoko Tani and China's Tong Wen are the most successful women with seven titles each.
Who are the youngest and oldest judo world champions?
Youngest: Teddy Riner (18 years and 159 days in 2007), Daria Bilodid (17 years and 345 days in 2018).
Oldest: Anton Geesink (31 years and 194 days in 1965), Driulis Gonzalez (33 years and 358 days in 2007).