By IBSA Judo and the IJF

Monday (20 May) marks 100 days to go to the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Before then, more than 200 judoka from 48 countries will go for the last qualification points at the International Blind Sport Federation (IBSA) Judo Grand Prix in Tbilisi, Georgia, from Saturday (18 May).

With 13 world ranking leaders lining up, competition will be tough.

But there are still chances for many judoka to qualify for Paris 2024.

Competition can be watched live at the IBSA Judo website, starting with the draw at 8pm local time on Friday (17 May).

J1 Men

There will be a real battle between Junaedi (INA) and Abdelkader Bouamer (ALG) in the up to 60kg category as the latter is hanging just outside the currently qualified athletes while the Indonesian judoka has, for now, secured the last spot. A gold from Bouamer is a must to keep his Paris hopes alive. It’s similar for Valerio Romano Teodori (ITA) and Bauyrzhan Arstanbekov (KAZ) in the up to 90kg category and with the latter being absent from the entry list, Teodori has one job to focus on, to make it to the final.

J2 Men

Ukraine’s Rufat Mahomedov is 103 points away from fetching the last spot from Spain’s Sergio Ibanez Banon in the up to 73kg category. Meanwhile German Daniel Rafael Goral is 102 points away from his dreams in the up to 90kg category. A note worth making: a bronze medal is worth 120 points.

J1 Women

Germany’s hopes are likely to increase in the up to 48kg category yet Anna Tabea Muller will need to make her way to the final to keep her Paris 2024 chances realistic. The same applies to Uzbekistan’s Uljon Amrieva and Spain’s Maria Manzanero Ruiz, both in the up to 57kg category, though the Spaniard would need to win the event. There are a handful of judoka in the same boat in the up to 70kg category too.

J2 Women

Turkiye’s Cahide Eke will seek to steal the final place from Indian’s Kokila in the up to 48kg category while both Ramona Brussig of Germany and Japan’s Kudo Hiroko will be looking to do just that with China’s Wang Jianan in the weight division above. Great Britain’s Kirsten Taylor, likewise, has ‘must medal’ on her to-do list over the weekend in the women’s over 70kg to be eligible to join the Paris crew as the only British female Paralympic judoka.

The French Team

The host team of the Summer Games are bringing their A-team to Tbilisi including a winner of multiple world titles Helios Latchoumanaya (J2/up to 90kg). While their tickets or rather taxi rides are secured for the Paralympics, the trouble for them, arriving in Georgia, is the potential upset they can cause for the rest of those mentioned above.

The Tbilisi Olympic Palace is about to create some sweet and sorrowful memories. Nevertheless, top class judo from all competitors is guaranteed.