The 2019 Judo Grand Prix Hohhot took place in Inner Mongolia from May 24 to 26, 2019, serving as a significant qualification tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The event brought together 301 athletes from 43 countries and regions to compete across 14 weight categories. By the conclusion of the three-day tournament, the South Korean team topped the medal table with four gold medals and two bronze medals, while the host nation, China, finished 9th with a total of six medals.
Qualification Path to Tokyo 2020
As a sanctioned qualification event for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Hohhot Grand Prix carried substantial weight for international judokas seeking to accumulate world ranking points. The tournament featured a high-intensity field, with 54 Chinese athletes participating alongside international competitors. The competition was structured over three days of elimination rounds and finals, with champions crowned in 14 distinct weight classes.
Medal Performance for the Chinese Team
The Chinese contingent secured two silver medals and four bronze medals throughout the tournament. On the opening day, May 24, Xiong Yao claimed a silver medal in the women’s 48 kg division, while Lu Tongjuan earned a bronze in the women’s 57 kg category.
On the second day, Tang Jing added a silver medal in the women’s 63 kg event, accompanied by a bronze medal from teammate Yang Junxia in the same weight class. The final day of competition, May 26, saw Ma Zhenzhao secure a bronze medal in the women’s under 78 kg category, followed by Xu Shiyan, who rounded out the medal count with a bronze in the women’s over 78 kg division. While other Chinese athletes competed throughout the weekend—including Yin Yongjie, who faced Russian opponent Anton in the men’s 100 kg category—the six medalists remained the only Chinese representatives to reach the podium.
South Korea Leads Medal Table over Japan and North Korea
While the Chinese team finished 9th overall, other nations dominated the top spots on the medal table. The South Korean team’s four gold medals placed them at the top of the standings, followed by Japan, which finished second with three gold medals. North Korea secured third place with two gold medals. Additionally, Germany, Cuba, France, Azerbaijan, and Iran each contributed to the event’s competitive depth by securing one gold medal apiece.
The tournament showcased notable individual performances from across the globe. On the first day, South Korean judokas Kim Won-jin and Kim Lim-hwan won gold in the men’s 60 kg and 66 kg categories, respectively. North Korean athletes Jon Yu-sun (women’s 48 kg) and Kim Jin-a (women’s 57 kg) also secured gold, while Japanese standout Uta Abe claimed the title in the women’s 52 kg event. Competition on the second day saw further victories for Saki Niitate of Japan, Hidayat Heydarov of Azerbaijan, and Saeid Mollaei of Iran.
Hohhot Event Serves as Olympic Cycle Checkpoint
The 2019 event in Hohhot was managed as a critical checkpoint in the Olympic cycle.
