After five days of Judo, records and milestones, with great moments and emotions to be written in the history of these Worlds, it is time for the end of the individual competition – and the preparation of the Abu Dhabi World Championships 2024 for the much-awaited spectacular climax: the mixed team competition.
The mixed team event remains as the curiosity in high level of sports. For every team, there are three women and three men and these compete in 6 weight classes against the counterparts in the other team. In women’s Wrestling, the weight categories are -57kg, -70kg and anyone above 70kg, for men; the weight categories are -73kg, -90 and anyone above 90kg.
The team standing on a higher winning rank in the six bouts being considered victor in the match while the remaining bouts are not contested. If both teams are level on three wins each, one of the weight categories is conducted again, and the competitors in that category fight in the golden point to decide the winner.
This event’s initiation was a breakthrough moment in the histories of the competitive judo championships. Its blend of formats and prestigious status has helped towards this by making nations formerly presented with male judoicons increase their funding for their associated females’ teams as a way of combating for supremacy.
It now becomes easy to form full ten pin bowling teams for a nation while, at the same time, minimizing cross weight category encounters, commonly assumed now as being restricted only to creations in a dancing competition. When added to the charges provided by the teams and spectators, the level of this contest inspires athletes and creates base for some of the spectacular and dramatic judo fights possible.
The four teams which were considered as top-ranked or seed teams entailing involvement of mixed teams in the world and Olympic championships included Japan, France, Georgia, and Brazil. Japan, the current defending champions, with all prior editions’ winners, are eager for a win as they feature three new world champions and multiple world medallists in their team.
France is a strong contender that has only fallen to Japan in the last mixed team world championship that was held in 2017. However, the side failed to perform at their best in the individual competitions’ stages; therefore, their way to the final this year is not a clear road.
