The World Judo Championships, taking place in Baku from October 4 to 11, have already produced a number of dramatic moments and remarkable human stories.
As reported by İdman.Biz, particular attention has been drawn to dramatic bouts involving Japanese stars, the achievements of Spanish athletes and the unusual circumstances surrounding several competitors.
Four seconds that saved the champion
One of the most dramatic moments came in the women's 52 kg quarterfinal between Japan's Uta Abe and Germany's Mascha Ballhaus.
The German judoka managed to score a waza-ari and was just seconds away from a sensational victory over the five-time world champion. However, with only four seconds remaining in regulation time, Ballhaus received her third penalty and was disqualified.
Abe continued her campaign and eventually claimed her sixth world title. Remarkably, her final against Spain's Ariane Toro Soler also ended after her opponent received a third penalty, this time during golden score.
On the same day, Uta's older brother Hifumi Abe became world champion in the men's 66 kg category, securing his fifth world title.
The Japanese brother and sister therefore repeated the golden double they first achieved at the 2018 World Championships, which were also held in Baku.
Seven days to prepare and a meeting with a legend
French newspaper L'Équipe highlighted the unusual story of 20-year-old Kelvin Ray, who learned that he had been added to France's main squad just seven days before the start of the World Championships.
The young judoka replaced the injured Walide Khyar and was given the opportunity to compete at a senior World Championships for the first time.
Despite having very little time to prepare, Ray pushed two-time Olympic champion Hifumi Abe into a highly competitive contest. The bout lasted more than six minutes, with the Frenchman losing to the Japanese star only in golden score.
After the contest, Ray admitted that he had not been intimidated by his famous opponent.
"When I saw the draw, I wasn't afraid. On the contrary, I was even happy. Although I would have preferred to face him in the final. I'm not afraid of anyone," the French judoka said.
Daughter of two Olympians faces Japanese legend
Another notable story involved Spain's Ariane Toro Soler, who won silver in the women's 52 kg category.
The 23-year-old comes from a family of professional judokas. Her mother, Yolanda Soler, won bronze at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, while her father, Jose Toro, also competed at those Games. Both now work as coaches.
In Baku, Ariane reached a World Championship final for the first time, where she faced Uta Abe. Despite losing, she achieved the biggest result of her career.
On the same day, Spain's David Garcia Torne won silver in the men's 66 kg category after losing to Hifumi Abe.
Garcia Torne had previously undergone six knee operations and, before the Baku tournament, had been unable to train fully because of an elbow injury.
As a result, both members of the Abe family defeated Spanish opponents in their respective finals.
From fleeing Cuba to a World Championship medal
Another remarkable story belongs to Spain's Ayumi Leiva Sanchez, who claimed bronze in the women's 52 kg category.
Born in Havana, Leiva used a trip by the Cuban delegation to a competition in Colombia in August 2022 to seek asylum during a stopover in Madrid.
She spent her first three months living in Red Cross accommodation. She later moved to Valencia, where she continued her career under former judokas Sugoi Uriarte and Laura Gomez.
Leiva received Spanish citizenship in 2023. Four years after leaving Cuba, she has now reached the podium at the World Championships in Baku.
A medal for his two-month-old daughter
Georgian judoka Giorgi Sardalashvili, who won bronze in the men's 60 kg category, shared another emotional story.
The 23-year-old was competing in his first international event since becoming a father.
Speaking to the International Judo Federation's press service, Sardalashvili revealed that his daughter had been born two months earlier and dedicated his medal to her.
Seven operations, artificial intelligence and a national team call-up
French newspaper L'Équipe also told the unusual story of Alexa Mitrovic.
The judoka, who has undergone seven knee operations, was preparing to sign a permanent employment contract with a logistics company in Nice when he unexpectedly received a call-up to represent France at the World Championships in Baku.
Alongside his sporting career, the 24-year-old also works on projects related to artificial intelligence and business process automation.
According to Mitrovic, just a few days earlier he had even dreamed about receiving an unexpected call-up to a major competition.
Piano and drawing instead of competition
Another unusual innovation has appeared inside the National Gymnastics Arena.
For the first time at a World Championships, the IJF has introduced a special Mind Dojo space designed to help participants relax mentally.
Judokas, coaches and referees can step away from the pressure of competition, draw, play the piano or use various relaxation techniques. Professional support is also available if needed.
According to the IJF, around 60 people visited the room on the opening day alone.
Another memorable moment came during the opening ceremony, when renowned Italian singer Al Bano performed several songs, including the internationally famous "Felicità."
The World Championships in Baku will conclude on October 11 with the mixed team competition.
Azerbaijan currently has one gold medal, won by Ahmad Yusifov in the men's 60 kg category on the opening day of the championships.
