Laura Vázquez exited the World Judo Championships in Baku in the opening round of the -63 kilogram category, falling short of the medal rounds alongside fellow Spanish competitor Ariela Sánchez. Competing during the fourth day of the international tournament, Vázquez received a first-round bye but could not overcome Czech judoka Renata Zachova, who secured victory by ippon before advancing to claim one of the division’s two bronze medals.
Early Exits for Spanish Representatives in Baku
The tournament progression proved difficult for the delegation representing Spain at the World Championships. Vázquez, fighting out of the Famu club, dropped her opening contest against Zachova. Ariela Sánchez managed a brighter start by winning her initial bout against Algeria’s Yassemine Djellab. Sánchez claimed that victory by scoring two waza-aris, but she stumbled in the subsequent round against Mongolia’s Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo.
Lkhagvatogoo, ranked second in the world and a eventual bronze medalist, defeated the Spanish judoka decisively. The elimination of both athletes left the -63kg bracket without Spanish contenders in the later stages of the competition.
Contasting Fortunes Following Previous Medal Success
Vázquez’s early exit contrasted with the podium performance achieved days earlier by her Famu clubmate, David García Torné. Competing in the -66kg division, García Torné captured a silver medal on Monday. Entering the Azerbaijan capital as the world’s eighth-ranked fighter in his weight class, the Spanish representative defeated Narmandakh Bayanmunkh of the United Arab Emirates, China’s Ziyang Xue, and Mongolia’s Baskhuu Ondonperenlei to reach the semifinals.
In the penultimate round, García Torné secured at least a silver medal by defeating North Macedonia’s Denis Vieru. He met Japan’s Hifumi Abe, a reigning Olympic champion from both Tokyo and Paris, in the final. Abe secured the gold by defeating the Spanish judo athlete via ippon. A third Spanish competitor, Adrián Nieto, also competed in the -66kg category but bowed out in his opening match against Serdar Rahimov of Turkmenistan.
World Judo Championships Continue in Baku Through Sunday
The World Judo Championships continue in Baku through the upcoming Sunday, featuring ongoing weight classes and international brackets.
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