French judoka Walide Khyar has withdrawn from the upcoming World Championships due to a lingering right shoulder injury sustained during the Lausanne Grand Slam in August. The French Judo Federation confirmed the withdrawal, announcing that young talent Kelvin Ray will step into the under-66kg category for the global tournament in Baku.
Shoulder Injury Forces Sète-Born Competitor Out of Baku
The decision to pull Khyar from the World Championships follows medical assessments confirming that the athlete requires more time to recover. During his opening bout at the Lausanne Grand Slam on August 28, the 1997-born fighter attempted to evade an attack from Japan’s Kairi Kentoku, the 2024 junior world silver medalist. The evasive movement resulted in right shoulder trauma that forced Khyar to abandon the match prematurely.
One month later, the physical impact of that initial tournament exit continues to sideline the French competitor. The French Judo Federation issued a formal statement noting that Khyar “needs more time to heal” before returning to international competition on the IJF World Tour.
Kelvin Ray Earns Maiden Senior World Selection
With Khyar unavailable, national team leadership turned to rising prospect Kelvin Ray to share the under-66kg entry alongside Daikii Bouba. Ray earned a bronze medal in the junior division at last year’s European Championships, marking a rapid ascent through the national ranks. The upcoming appearance in Azerbaijan represents Ray’s first senior World Championship selection.
The French delegation travels to Baku with a sixteen-athlete roster featuring established international contenders, including Olympic medalists and prominent world circuit competitors such as Clarisse Agbégnénou, Joan-Benjamin Gaba, and Luka Mkheidze. The squad will make the trip without heavyweight leader Teddy Riner, who remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a right shoulder injury.
From Medal Contender to Supporter
The absence of Khyar removes a proven podium presence from the French lineup. Khyar captured the bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships and has maintained a consistent presence among the continent’s elite fighters, despite falling short of a medal finish at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The national governing body stated that Ray’s inclusion rewards the steady progress and rigorous work ethic demonstrated over recent months.
World Championships Schedule and Next Steps
The upcoming World Championships commence on October 4 in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together top-tier judokas from across the globe. Khyar is slated to watch the competition from the sidelines, transitioning temporarily from international competitor to an active supporter of the French national delegation as the tournament gets underway.
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