Preview U52kg Doha: Uta Abe is poised to win but who is the second finallist?

At the second day of the World Judo Championships in Doha the women’s U52kg will be sensational. Not because the differences in the top are so small, but there are simply many top players in the U52kg division which traditionally is among the hardest weight class for women because of the sheer number of quality players it has.

There’s Distria Krasniqi (KOS) and Amandine Buchard (FRA) who are absolutely top-notch. But it’s hard to imagine anyone else getting the gold but Uta Abe (JPN) who is in the same pool with Buchard which doesn’t give much space to others.

Krasniqi is in pool A with Sosorbaram Lkhagvasuren of Mongolia who we might not underestimate but it’s hard to predict with Mascha Ballhaus and Perez Box in the same pool for just two quarter final positions.

In Pool C Hungarian Reka Pupp is the big name with Charline van Snick (BEL) as experienced and one of the most decorated fighters who makes her comeback at this level. Double Olympic medallist Odette Giuffrida (ITA) is the one with the best reputation at major events though. She knows when to peak but World Championships were never her thing. Her best position was fifth in 2015, but this pool gives opportunities.

Diyora Keldiyorova (UZB), with her strong groundwork, especially juji-gatame, can become another sensation in Pool D. Gefen Primo of Israel remains an asset for Israel, but there are chances for the other here to progress.

At the top level Ute Abe and Distria Krasniqi will have the highest odds on gold in Doha U52kg. It could be the fourth for the 22 year old Olympic Champion Abe. Krasniqi is the Olympic Champion U48kg but has just two bronze medals at the worlds, we think that number will change, but Abe and Krasniqi might have to battle it out in the semi final. Who will be the other finallist? Keldiyorova is wild and on form.