The International Judo Federation (IJF) has unveiled the nominees for the Judo Awards 2024, a recognition of the most outstanding athletes and moments of this unforgettable year in the world of judo. From Olympic champions to rising stars, the awards celebrate the talent, dedication and stories that marked the tatami at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
TEDDY RINER AND LEGENDS AMONG THE NOMINEES
Topping the list is France’s Teddy Riner, a three-time Olympic champion and ten-time world champion, who is competing for the Male Judoka of the Year award. In addition, his stunning ippon in the heavyweight final in Paris has been nominated as Ippon of the Year, while his key role in France’s mixed team victory, decided in a thrilling tiebreaker, also features as one of the Moments of the Year.
Riner shares a category with other top stars such as Japan’s Abe Hifumi and Nagase Takanori, Georgia’s Lasha Bekauri, and first-time Olympic champions Yeldos Smetov (Kazakhstan) and Hidayat Heydarov (Azerbaijan), who cemented their place among judo’s elite in Paris.
FEMALE TALENT SHINES AT THE JUDO AWARDS
In the women’s category, Italy’s Alice Bellandi is running for Female Judoka of the Year after winning her first Olympic title in Paris. She competes against other outstanding champions, such as Tsunoda Natsumi (Japan), Christa Deguchi (Canada) and Croatia’s Barbara Matić. Among the most exciting stories is the victory of Uzbekistan’s Diyora Keldiyorova over Olympic champion Abe Uta, which has been nominated as one of the Moments of the Year.
In addition, Keldiyorova’s coach, Marko Spittka, has been recognized with a nomination for his outstanding work in athlete development.
UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS THAT DEFINED THE YEAR
The awards celebrate not only individual achievements, but also moments that highlighted the spirit of judo. Among them, the interactions between legendary judokas and children at the Paris Grand Slam and the historic participation of Roldeney de Oliveira as the first Olympic judoka from São Tomé and Príncipe.
Social projects such as the promotion of women’s judo in Uzbekistan and development programs in Africa and for the Olympic Refugee Team also receive recognition, underlining the transformative impact of sport.
The Rising Star category highlights up-and-comers such as Sweden’s Tara Babulfath, who became her country’s first Olympic judo medalist, and France’s Joan-Benjamin Gaba, whose performance in the mixed team was key to France’s victory. These young stars prove that the future of judo is full of talent.
PARTICIPATE IN THE JUDO AWARDS VOTING
Judo fans have the opportunity to vote on JudoTV.com from December 10, 2024 through January 10, 2025. Each participant can cast one vote per category, and the winners will be announced during the Judo Awards 2024 ceremony at the Paris Grand Slam 2025.
Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate the athletes and moments that made 2024 an unforgettable year in judo. For more information and to participate in the voting, visit the IJF website.
