El Stage Judo Madrid Returns to Móstoles for 13th Edition with Record 450+ Athletes
Móstoles, Spain — June 10, 2024 The 2024 El Stage Judo Madrid, one of Europe’s most prestigious judo tournaments, returns to the Polideportivo Municipal de Móstoles this weekend for its 13th edition, with organizers confirming a record 452 participants from 52 nations. The event, running June 14–16, will feature 16 weight categories across men’s and women’s competitions, including Olympic qualifying opportunities for 2024 Paris-bound athletes.
Why This Tournament Matters for Olympic Qualifiers
The El Stage Judo Madrid has become a critical stepping stone for judoka aiming to secure spots at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the International Judo Federation (IJF) allocating 10 continental quotas for European athletes through the tournament series. According to the IJF’s official qualification pathway, the top performers in each weight class at this event will earn direct invitations to the European Olympic Qualification Tournament in Zagreb next month.
Spain’s own Royal Spanish Judo Federation (RFEDA) has emphasized the tournament’s role in homegrown talent development, with five Spanish judoka already confirmed to compete—including 2020 Tokyo bronze medalist Alexander Rodrigo Díaz, who will defend his -66kg title.
Competition Format: How the Tournament Works
The event will follow a single-elimination format for the final medal rounds, with preliminary pools determining seeding. Key rules include:
- Time limits: 4 minutes for men, 3 minutes for women in preliminary rounds; sudden death after 2 minutes in finals.
- Ippon scoring: Direct wins (throws, pins, or submissions) count as immediate victories.
- Olympic qualification: Top 3 in each weight class earn points toward IJF’s continental quota system.
Unlike traditional Grand Slam events, El Stage Judo Madrid includes a unique “wildcard” system where organizers may invite up to 10 judoka from non-European federations to compete for additional IJF ranking points.
Who to Watch: Standout Competitors
With 452 athletes registered—up 12% from 2023—the competition features a mix of Olympic medalists and rising stars. Notable names include:
| Name | Country | Weight Class | Recent Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lasha Shavdatuashvili | Georgia | -73kg | 2023 World Champion, 2024 Paris Olympic favorite |
| Alice Schlesinger | Israel | -57kg | 2023 European Games gold medalist |
| Takanori Nagase | Japan | -60kg | 2021 Tokyo silver medalist, returning after injury |
| Beatriz Souza | Brazil | -52kg | 2023 World silver medalist, first Brazilian to win Olympic quota at this event |
Spain’s Díaz will face stiff competition in the -66kg division, where Yago Abuladze (Georgia) and An Baul (Netherlands) are also entered.
Móstoles Arena: What to Expect
The Polideportivo Municipal de Móstoles, hosting the event for the third consecutive year, has undergone upgrades including a new electronic scoring system and expanded medical facilities. According to the venue’s official specifications, the 2,500-seat arena will operate at 90% capacity for the finals, with live streaming available on the IJF’s official YouTube channel.
Key details:
- Location: Polideportivo Municipal de Móstoles, Calle de la Constitución 1, 28938 Móstoles, Spain
- Time zone: Central European Summer Time (UTC+2)
- Opening ceremony: June 14 at 10:00 CET (08:00 UTC)
- Finals: June 16, starting at 11:00 CET (09:00 UTC)
Local organizers have confirmed that the tournament will maintain its tradition of free public access to all sessions, though media accreditation is required for press coverage.
How This Tournament Impacts Olympic Qualification
With only 16 Olympic quotas remaining for Europe in several weight classes, the El Stage Judo Madrid serves as a final opportunity for athletes to earn direct invitations. According to the IJF’s qualification timeline, the top performers here will:
- Earn automatic spots for the European Olympic Qualification Tournament in Zagreb (July 12–14).
- Accumulate IJF ranking points that may override lower-ranked athletes in continental allocation.
- Receive priority consideration for the IJF’s final Olympic ranking list, due July 22.
For example, the -60kg women’s division—where Brazil’s Beatriz Souza competes—has only 3 European quotas remaining. A top-3 finish here would virtually guarantee her Olympic spot.
Spain’s Role in the Global Judo Landscape
While Spain has historically lagged behind judo powerhouses like Japan, France, and Georgia, the country has seen a resurgence in recent years. The RFEDA reports a 22% increase in licensed judoka since 2020, with Madrid emerging as the nation’s training hub. According to RFEDA’s 2023 annual report, the federation has invested €1.8 million in youth development programs specifically targeting Olympic qualification.
This year’s event marks the first time the tournament has been held in Móstoles, moving from its traditional venue in Madrid’s Ciudad Deportiva. The shift was made to accommodate the growing number of international participants and to leverage the municipality’s state-of-the-art facilities.
Where to Watch and Key Updates
Live coverage will be available through multiple official channels:
- IJF YouTube (free streaming, English/Spanish commentary)
- IJF Live Portal (official results and statistics)
- IJF Twitter (@IJF_official) for real-time updates
For Spanish-language coverage, follow @RFEDA on Twitter or the tournament’s official hashtag #ElStageMadrid2024.
Next checkpoint: The European Olympic Qualification Tournament in Zagreb runs July 12–14, where athletes earning spots at El Stage Judo Madrid will compete for final Olympic invitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do IJF ranking points work for Olympic qualification?
A: The IJF uses a cumulative ranking system where athletes earn points based on tournament performance. Top performers at Grand Slams and continental events (like El Stage Madrid) receive the highest point allocations. For Paris 2024, the IJF will allocate quotas based on the highest-ranked athletes in each weight class as of July 22, 2024.
Q: Can non-European athletes compete?
A: Yes, but they do not qualify for European continental quotas. However, the tournament offers IJF ranking points that can help athletes from other continents secure spots through their respective regional qualification pathways.
Q: What are the time limits for matches?
A: Preliminary rounds feature 4 minutes for men and 3 minutes for women. Finals extend to 5 minutes for men and 4 minutes for women, with sudden death after 2 minutes if the score is tied.
