Spain has named a delegation consisting of nine women and six men for the upcoming World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, kicking off a crucial stretch on the Olympic qualifying cycle toward the Los Angeles 2028 Games, as.com reported.
Laura Martínez Headlines Opening Day as World Number Two
Leading the Spanish contingent on the opening day of competition is Laura Martínez. Ranked second in the world in the -48kg division, the 27-year-old Madrid native arrives in Baku aiming to build on her bronze-medal finish at the previous world championships. Martínez will take to the tatami alongside Eva Soler, who enters the tournament ranked eighth globally in the same weight category.
The opening day schedule also features Luis Barroso in the men’s -60kg division. Competition continues across the week with Ayumi Leiva and Ariane Toro holding the third and fifth spots respectively in the -52kg rankings, while Marta García and Adriana Rodríguez contest the -57kg class.
Full Roster Breakdown Across Weight Categories
On the men’s side, David García anchors the -66kg squad as the world number eight in his weight class, joined by teammates Adrián Nieto (-66kg), Anton Shuhalieiev (-73kg), and Aharon Santamaría (-90kg).
The squad selection also welcomes back Nikoloz Sherazadishvili. The Georgian-born judoka has recovered from an injury layoff that severely limited his competition schedule and will contest the -100kg division. Sherazadishvili claimed a bronze medal in the -100kg category in 2024, adding to his two career world gold medals won in the -90kg weight class.
Baku World Championships Daily Competition Schedule
- Second Day: -66kg (David García, Adrián Nieto) and -52kg (Ayumi Leiva, Ariane Toro)
- Third Day: -73kg (Anton Shuhalieiev) and -57kg (Marta García, Adriana Rodríguez)
- Fourth Day: -81kg and -63kg (Laura Vázquez, Ariela Sánchez)
- Fifth Day: -90kg (Aharon Santamaría) and -70kg (Ai Tsunoda)
- Sixth Day: -100kg (Nikoloz Sherazadishvili) and -78kg
- Final Day: +100kg and +78kg (No Spanish representation in individual draws)
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