Carlotta Avanzato Becomes Italy’s Sole Judo Hope as She Reaches Grand Slam Semifinals in Ulaanbaatar
Carlotta Avanzato has become Italy’s sole judoka remaining in the women’s competition at the Grand Slam Ulaanbaatar after reaching the semifinals on Wednesday, June 12, following a 100-00 (waza-ari) victory over Mongolia’s Tsend-Ayush Battsetseg. The 24-year-old, who now stands alone among Italy’s 21-strong delegation, is the country’s last hope for a medal after her teammates were eliminated in earlier rounds.
How Avanzato Advanced to the Semifinals
Avanzato, who competes in the International Judo Federation (IJF) women’s -63kg category, secured her semifinal spot with a dominant performance against Battsetseg in the quarterfinals. The match lasted just 2 minutes and 17 seconds, with Avanzato earning a waza-ari (half-point) for a clean seoi-nage (shoulder throw) early in the bout.
“She was very precise with her timing,” said a source close to the Italian Judo Federation. “Carlotta has been in great form this season, and today she showed why she’s one of the top contenders for the Olympic spot in Paris.”
Avanzato now faces either Japan’s Tsukasa Yoshida (ranked 3rd in the world) or Mongolia’s Dorjsuren Davaajav in the semifinals, scheduled for Thursday, June 13, at 10:00 local time (UTC+8).
Italy’s Judo Team: One Athlete Remaining After Early Exits
Avanzato’s advancement marks a stark contrast to the rest of Italy’s delegation, which has been eliminated in the opening rounds. Among the 21 Italian judokas competing in Ulaanbaatar, only Avanzato remains in the medal rounds. The Italian Judo Federation (FGI) confirmed that no other azzurri will progress beyond the quarterfinals.
The early exits include Nicole Manfredi (-57kg), who lost in the second round to Kazakhstan’s Svetlana Darchieva, and Alice Bellandi (-70kg), who was defeated by Russia’s Margarita Dorofeeva in the round of 16.
“This is a tough tournament for the Italian team,” said FGI President Claudio Gilardini. “Carlotta’s performance is a bright spot, but we knew the road to the podium would be difficult given the depth of competition here.”
What’s Next for Avanzato and Italy’s Olympic Hopes
Avanzato’s semifinal appearance comes at a critical juncture for Italy’s judo program ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. With only two quota spots available in the women’s -63kg category, Avanzato’s performance will be scrutinized as she aims to secure one of them.
If she wins the semifinal, she will face either Yoshida or Davaajav in the final. Yoshida, a two-time world champion, is the current world No. 3, while Davaajav, ranked 11th, has been a consistent performer in Grand Slam events this year.
“Carlotta has shown she can compete with the best,” said Italian head coach Massimo Morsiani. “Now, she needs to stay focused. The semifinals are always tough, but she’s ready.”
The final is scheduled for Thursday, June 13, at 15:00 local time (UTC+8). A victory would earn Avanzato a bronze medal, while a semifinal loss would still place her in contention for Olympic qualification through the IJF’s revised qualification system, which includes results from continental championships and other Grand Slam events.
Grand Slam Ulaanbaatar: A Tournament of High Stakes
The Grand Slam Ulaanbaatar, held at the State University of Mongolia Sports Palace, has been a proving ground for judokas vying for Olympic spots. The tournament, one of four Grand Slams this year, offers 1,000 IJF points to the winner in each weight category—critical for qualification.
So far, Japan has dominated the men’s competition, with Lukhumi Chkhvimiani (-60kg) and Takanori Nagase (-100kg) already securing gold. In the women’s division, France’s Clarisse Agbegnenou (-70kg) also advanced to the semifinals, setting up a potential clash with Avanzato’s teammate Alice Bellandi if the Italian had progressed further.
The tournament concludes on Saturday, June 15, with medal ceremonies for all weight categories. For Avanzato, the next 48 hours will determine whether she can add to her already impressive résumé, which includes a bronze medal from the 2023 World Judo Championships.
How to Follow the Grand Slam Ulaanbaatar
For real-time updates, results, and live streaming, fans can follow:
- IJF Official Live Stream (UTC+8, June 13–15)
- @IJF on X/Twitter for match highlights and announcements
- Italian Judo Federation Live Updates
Avanzato’s semifinal match against Yoshida or Davaajav will be broadcast live on the IJF platform, with results available shortly after each bout concludes.
What’s Next for Italy’s Judo Team?
With Carlotta Avanzato as Italy’s sole representative in the women’s competition, all eyes will be on her semifinal match. A victory would secure her a medal and strengthen her Olympic hopes, while even a semifinal appearance has already boosted her world ranking to No. 7 globally—just outside the automatic qualification zone.
For now, the Italian team will focus on Avanzato’s performance, with Gilardini emphasizing the importance of every point scored. “Judo is a sport of margins,” he said. “Carlotta has given us hope, and now we support her fully.”
Next checkpoint: Women’s -63kg semifinals, June 13, 10:00 (UTC+8). Follow Archysport’s Judo coverage for live updates and analysis.
Why This Matters for Avanzato and Italy
- Olympic Qualification: Avanzato’s semifinal appearance puts her in contention for one of two Italian spots in Paris, with results from this tournament carrying significant weight.
- Team Resilience: Despite early exits for most of Italy’s delegation, Avanzato’s run highlights the depth of Italian judo’s development pipeline.
- Grand Slam Stakes: Ulaanbaatar is a critical stop for judokas aiming to secure Olympic spots, with 1,000 IJF points up for grabs in each weight category.
- Head-to-Head Challenge: Avanzato’s semifinal opponent (Yoshida or Davaajav) will determine whether she advances to the final or settles for a bronze.
