Budapest fights the pandemic with judo World Championships

Again Budapest is the host city of the World Judo Championships that is starting with the lightweights on 6 June. The blockbuster of the IJF, as the Games are organized by the Tokyo Organisational Committee, is expecting a huge number of participants despite the pandemic.

The entries are still not closed, and more than 660 judoka from 127 countries were entered so far. The László Papp Sports Arena will also have a limited number of spectators in the venue.

This world championships has double-significance: during the event, to be held in László Papp Budapest Sports Arena, the most precious medals will be awarded and the championships is also a qualifier for the Tokyo Olympic Games, so it is going to be such a highlighted event. In Hungary winners of the gold medal will get 2000 points, with this most of the judoka could qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

"Perhaps, we are ahead of the most difficult world championships - said László Dr. Tóth, President of the Hungarian Judo Association -, inspite of the fact that we have quite huge routine as during the past few decades we were able to organize fantastic major events, successfully. This pandemic period gives us difficult tasks to deal with, we face with new challenges, conditions, changes day after day. The world championships is going to start in two and a half weeks, however there are still several questions in front of us. The biggest uncertainty we have is the question of spectators. The fact that the pandemic situation is getting better and better in Hungary, gives us such a serious background, we are in continuous contact with the National Public Health Center. Based on the current rules in force, spectators with immunity certificate are allowed to see the world championships on site.”

The 2021 World Judo Championships will be held during eight days, the program will be the same as the Tokyo Olympics’ schedule. Each competition day two categories (one men, one women) are going to take place, then on the final day the Mixed Team competition (Men 73, 90 and +90, and women 57, 70 and +70 kg categories) closes the event.

Top events in Budapest

2004       Junior World Championships

2004       European Open Championships

2009       Cadet World Championships

2013       European Championships

2014       Grand Prix Budapest until 2019

2017       Senior World Championships

2020       Grand Slam Budapest

2021       Senior World Championships

THE PROGRAM OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

6 June 2021, Sunday: Men 60 and women’s 48kg

7 June 2021, Monday: Men 66 and women’s 52kg

8 June 2021, Tuesday: Men 73 and women’s 57kg

9 June 2021, Wednesday: Men 81 and women’s 63kg

10 June 2021, Thursday: Men 90 and women’s 70kg

11 June 2021, Friday: Men 100 and women’s 78kg

12 June 2021, Saturday: Men +100 and women’s +78kg

13 June 2021, Sunday: Mixed Team Competition