Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) President and Chairman of the World Judo Championships - Doha 2023 Organising Committee H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Judo Federation Khalid Al Attiyah and QOC's Amna Alharqan with the podium winners of the women's 52kg weight class.
Former Prime Minister H E Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani and Qatar Olympic Committee President and Chairman of the World Judo Championships - Doha 2023 Organising Committee H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani were among the dignitaries who were present at a colourful opening ceremony which officially marked the opening of the high profile event, yesterday.
Minister of Municipality H E Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie and President of the International Judo Federation Marius Vizer also attended the opening ceremony which reflected both Qatar and Arab cultures in front in the presence of a large local and international audience at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena.
Action during men's 66kg bout.
Director of the Local Organizing Committee of the World Judo Championships – Doha 2023 Khalid bin Hamad Al Attiyah welcomed the attendees, and expressed his gratitude to the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
“We are pleased to host the best world-class judokas. This championship is an opportunity to shed light on Qatar’s commitment to attracting the world’s largest sports events, and we thank everyone who made this event possible,” he said.
International Judo Federation’s President Marius Vizer praised Qatar’s efforts in organising the championship and said: “Through investing in sports, you invest in a better future for the world, in education, unity, friendship and non-discrimination.”
Artists perform during the opening ceremony.
Vizer added:, “I would like to express our gratitude to the government of Qatar for its support for international sporting events and promoting judo worldwide.”
Later yesterday, in a fitting all-Japanese final which saw two multiple-time world champions, the reigning Olympic champion Hifumi Abe secured his country’s second gold medal in Doha when he defeated Joshiro Maruyama in the 66kg class.
It was the fifth occasion the two compatriots met in a major final, with Abe coming on top on four occasions against the two-time world champion.
Mongolia’s World No 9 Baskhuu Yondonperenlei and French World No 4 Walide Khyar won bronze after beating Georgia’s Vazha Margvelashvili and South Korea’s Baul An, in repechage bouts.
Artists perform during the opening ceremony.
Japan also won the gold medal in women’s 52kg, when Uta Abe beat Uzbekistan’s Diyora Keldiyorova in a final battle which brought together world’s 4outh and third ranked players.
The duo met for the first time since 2019 and the Japanese 22-year-old Olympic champion now holds a 2-0 record against her Uzbek counterpart who is a two-time Asian champion.
Japan have now won three out of four gold medals to lead the tally, followed by Spain (1 gold) in the second spot, and Uzbekistan (2 silver) in third.
With 11 more titles up for grabs, the eight-day Championships brings together over 660 judokas representing 99 countries.
Today, completions in men’s 73kg and women’s 57kg weight classes will take place at the same venue.