Korean Kim Won Jin takes first place on World Ranking

In the latest release of the IJF World Ranking Korean Kim Won-Jin finally took the leading position U60kg. The current world ranking includes the decreasing to 50% of the points of the European Open in Tallinn in 2014 and to 0% of the points of the Grand Prix in Tashkent in 2013. The top 3 U60kg now consists of Kim, Orkhan Safarov and Yeldos Smetov. It’s the only serious change in the world ranking. The Koreans are doing good business anyway after their glorious World Championships. With 5 judoka in the top 10 and two leading positions compared to four positions in the top 10 and none leading a month ago. In the current top 30 positions, which is likely the limit to qualify in the world ranking Japan have 42 positions.

Japan 42 judoka

Russia 29

France 24

Germany 23

Mongolia 21

Brazil 20

Korea 16

Netherlands 13

Georgia and Israel 11.

The only countries that have someone in all 14 categories within the top 30 are Japan, France and Brazil. Even shifting to the top 22 positions (the formal limit for men) these three countries have a representative. Obviously Brazil will have 14 athletes anyway as host nation.

Russia ranked second in countries with judoka in the top 30, doesn’t have anyone U70kg as two problem categories. Although the Russian team also have the most luxury situation of all countries in the category U81kg where 5 judoka are ranked top 30.

Germany face problems U48kg and Mongolia clearly have gaps in the heavyweight women’s categories U78 and +78.

Japan is the only country having a judoka in all weight categories when it comes to top 10 positions in the current world ranking.