Which women will take the power at Abu Dhabi Grand Slam?

The Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi comes just a few days after the recent world championships and delivers a field of 414 athletes from 65 nations. This underlines the importance of Abu Dhabi on the international calendar. The modern stadium will host three tatami and three days of fighting. Let’s have a look at the top female contestants among the 175 women.

U48kg

The U48kg category will have 29 participants and the big names are: Julia Figueroa (ESP), fifth in Tashkent, Mélanie Legoux Clément (FRA), winner in Tbilisi, Assunta Scutto (ITA), bronze medallist in Tashkent and silver at the junior worlds, Catarina Costa (POR) European silver medallist, Milica Nikolic (SRB), seventh in Tashkent, Shira Rishony (ISR), five time grand slam bronze medallist.

U52kg

In the U52kg division, in the absence of recent world medallists, we can expect a fierce battle between Diyora Keldiyorova (UZB), Gefen Primo (ISR), Astrid Gneto (FRA), Fabienne Kocher (SUI) and even Odette Giuffrida (ITA). The motivation will be there and we can expect a good tussle.

U57kg

It will be the great return of Olympic champion Nora Gjakova (KOS) who has not been seen since her coronation in Tokyo last year. Facing her we will find the youth of Eteri Liparteliani (GEO) or the experience of Telma Monteiro (POR) who is in a pool with Daria Bilodid (UKR). Priscilla Gneto (FRA) could also be talked about.

U63kg

Lucy Renshall (GBR) is the highest seed athlete U63kg. She will see Gili Sharir (ISR) and Katharina Haecker (AUS) who have all been on international podia. In the absence of Clarisse Agbégnénou (FRA) and Tina Trstenjak (SLO), many athletes are willing to take the lead. Junior World Champion Joanne van Lieshout (NED) is also in the starting grid in a pool with Kerem Primo another talent.

U70kg

Kim Polling (NED) became a mum recently and she is now back. One of the most prolific athletes of her generation. In the meantime Kelly Petersen Pollard (GBR) or Michaela Polleres (AUT) seem to be the most likely to win medals.

U78kg

After the failure of Madeleine Malonga (FRA) in Tashkent, it is Audrey Tcheumeo who is back in service in Abu Dhabi. Will she be able to follow the example of the experienced Mayra Aguiar (BRA) who won the worlds in style a few days ago? To block Tcheumeo’s way there could be Inbar Lanir (ISR), Natalie Powell (GBR) or Emma Reid (GBR), without forgetting the recent silver medallist from Tashkent, Zhenzhao Ma (CHN).

+78kg

France recently took the lion's share in the +78kg category, with the outright victory of Romane Dicko (FRA) in Tashkent, as well as the bronze medal of Julia Tolofua (FRA). These Frenchwomen can hide another though, as it is Léa Fontaine who will be seeded number one in Abu Dhabi.