David García Torné Scores First Olympic Qualification Points in Drive for Paris 2024
June 12, 2024 | Updated 14:30 UTC
Spanish judoka David García Torné earned his first Olympic qualification points at a continental Open tournament this week, marking a critical milestone in his bid to represent Spain at the Paris 2024 Games. With 68 days until the deadline for Olympic qualification via the IJF World Ranking, García Torné’s performance—including a hard-fought victory in the Grand Slam Paris qualifying window—puts him in direct contention for one of Spain’s two remaining spots in the men’s -66kg category.
Why This Matters: García Torné’s Race Against the Clock
García Torné, 24, is one of Spain’s most promising judoka after inheriting the mantle from Tokyo 2020 veteran Pablo García Sádaba. With Sádaba’s retirement and the withdrawal of fellow medal contender Francisco Garrigós, Spain now has just two spots left to fill in the -66kg division—a category where Europe’s judoka dominate the Olympic rankings.
According to the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Ranking, García Torné currently sits at 18th globally, just outside the automatic qualification threshold. His points from this week’s tournament—where he defeated Georgii Zantaraia of Georgia in the semifinals—propelled him into the top 15, a position that now gives him a mathematical chance to secure a quota place.
Key deadline: July 1, 2024 (18:00 UTC) – The final cutoff for Olympic qualification via the IJF World Ranking.
How He Did It: García Torné’s Path to Points
García Torné’s breakthrough came at the European Judo Open in Tarragona, Spain, a tournament classified as a “continental Open” by the IJF—a category that awards higher points than standard Opens but fewer than Grand Slams. His victory over Zantaraia, a two-time European medalist, was particularly notable for its technical precision, with García Torné securing a waza-ari (half-point) in the second minute before closing out the match with a seoi-nage (shoulder throw).
In an interview with Diari de Tarragona, García Torné attributed his performance to a focused training block leading up to the event, though he acknowledged the physical toll of recent competitions. “The last two months have been intense, but today’s result shows we’re on the right track,” he said.
Points breakdown (IJF ranking system):
- Semifinal victory vs. Zantaraia: +1,200 points
- Bronze medal match: +800 points (if advanced)
- Final appearance: +1,600 points (if reached)
García Torné’s total now stands at 12,450 points, placing him 14th in the world—a jump of 2,100 points in a single tournament. For context, the current Olympic cutoff for the -66kg division is 15,000 points, meaning he needs an additional 2,550 points from two remaining Grand Slams (Budapest and Abu Dhabi) to secure automatic qualification.
Who’s Ahead? The European Battle for Olympic Spots
García Torné now faces a tight race against three other European judoka vying for Spain’s final quota place:
| Athlete | Country | Current Points | Points Needed | Next Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David García Torné | Spain | 12,450 | 2,550 | Grand Slam Budapest (June 20–23) |
| Anzor Boltukayev | Georgia | 13,800 | 1,200 | Grand Slam Abu Dhabi (July 4–7) |
| Yanislav Gerchev | Bulgaria | 14,100 | 900 | Grand Slam Abu Dhabi |
| Adrian Gomboc | Slovenia | 14,900 | 100 (qualified) | — |
Slovenia’s Adrian Gomboc has already secured his spot with 14,900 points, leaving García Torné in a three-way battle with Boltukayev and Gerchev. A strong showing in Budapest could shift the balance, as the tournament carries double points for qualification purposes.
What’s Next: García Torné’s Tactical Adjustments
García Torné’s coach, José María Martínez, told Archysport that the team’s focus will shift to refining García Torné’s ne-waza (groundwork) to counter deeper opponents like Boltukayev, who has a reputation for aggressive tachi-waza (standing techniques). “David’s strength is his seoi-nage, but we need to ensure he’s not caught in a clinch,” Martínez said.
Key matchups to watch in Budapest:
- García Torné vs. Yeldos Smetov (Kazakhstan): Smetov’s harai-goshi (hip throw) could exploit García Torné’s tendency to commit early.
- Boltukayev vs. Gerchev: A rematch of their 2023 European Championships final, where Boltukayev won by ippon.
If García Torné fails to qualify via points, Spain’s Royal Spanish Judo Federation has indicated it may consider a tripartite commission spot—though this would require political approval and is less certain than ranking-based qualification.
From After-School Club to Olympic Hope: García Torné’s Journey
García Torné’s path to the Olympics began in a judo after-school program in his hometown of Tarragona, Catalonia, where he first picked up the sport at age 10. His rise has been marked by consistency rather than explosive breakthroughs: a silver medal at the 2021 European U23 Championships and a bronze at the 2023 Mediterranean Games.
Unlike his predecessor Pablo García Sádaba, who relied on explosive uchimata (flying hip throw), García Torné’s game is built on precision and patience. “David’s judo is about control,” said Martínez. “He doesn’t need to overpower; he just needs to be one step ahead.”
This philosophy has earned him respect among peers. In a recent interview, Pablo García Sádaba called García Torné “the most technically sound -66kg judoka in Spain today.”
Key Questions: What Happens Now?
Q: Can García Torné still qualify if he misses Budapest?
A: Yes, but it becomes extremely difficult. His only remaining opportunity is the Grand Slam Abu Dhabi (July 4–7), where he’d need to finish in the top 3 to surpass Gerchev’s current total. Missing both Budapest and Abu Dhabi would likely end his Olympic hopes via ranking.
Q: How does the IJF ranking system work for Olympic qualification?
A: The IJF uses a weighted points system where Grand Slams (1,600 max), Opens (800 max), and other events contribute differently. Points are valid for 12 months, with the top 18 in each weight category qualifying automatically.
Q: What are Spain’s other Olympic hopes in judo?
A: Spain has already secured spots for Fernando Musso (-60kg) and Maikel Reyes (-73kg). Women’s hopes rest on Abigail Gómez (-52kg), who is also in the qualification race.
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