With the Grand Prix Zagreb 2024, the World Judo Tour was well relaunched and we can now consider that the page of the previous Olympic cycle has been turned and it is now entering the domain of the archives.
We will keep in mind the incredible exploits of all the medal-winning athletes of the last Games in Paris 2024 but we can fully turn towards Los Angeles 2028 from here.
FIRST PAGE
The road is still long however and this is only the first page of a long story that is being written day by day. The one in Zagreb was therefore beautiful and dynamic, with a large place given to youth.
The tenors of the world circuit, particularly those who performed this summer in Paris, are taking a well-deserved rest. We will see them again soon. In Croatia, we have therefore seen the emergence of all these young athletes who dream of world championships and Olympic Games in the years to come.
FULL OF VITALITY
The show they gave us was magnificent, full of vitality and the will to achieve great feats. Those years to come will tell us what it is, but one thing is certain, judo will continue its rise on the five continents.
We will remember the example of the Croatian team, which in the wake of Barbara Matic’s Olympic title in Paris, achieved its grand prix at home by winning medals every day. The work pays off!
NEXT STOP
Now the World Judo Tour turns to Abu Dhabi which will be the next stop in October. It’s then that the junior world championships will take place in Tajikistan and once again it will be a question of youth and the future of judo, a future that looks bright.
Credit: IJF
