Pirelli Enters the -100 kg Storm as Top Seed

Gennaro Pirelli arrives at the World Championships as the top seed in a -100 kg division with 56 competitors. The Italian, who became 2026 European champion, leads a field so deep that every section of the draw contains serious medal contenders.

Pirelli’s position at world number one follows a strong run of results. Since placing fifth in Paris at the start of the season, he has remained unbeaten while taking victories at the European Championships and in Ulaanbaatar, Lima and Hungary. His first contest could already be demanding, with Switzerland’s Daniel Eich a possible opponent if Eich progresses through his opening round.

The upper quarter is far from straightforward. Two-time world champion Nikoloz Sherazadishvili of Spain is in the same section, alongside Ukraine’s Anton Savytskiy. It is an early reminder of the challenge facing every athlete: no one can expect an easy route through this category.

Pool B brings together Niiaz Bilalov and Ilia Sulamanidze, the Olympic and world medallist from Georgia. Both stand out through their world ranking and their ability to perform when the pressure rises.

Another stacked section awaits in pool C. Brazil’s Leonardo Goncalves could meet Dzhafar Kostoev of the UAE, while 2023 world champion Arman Adamian, Portugal’s Jorge Fonseca and Azerbaijan’s Zelym Kotsoiev are also placed there. Fonseca owns world titles from 2019 and 2021, while Kotsoiev enters as the 2024 world champion and reigning Olympic champion.

The lower half offers no relief. Netherlands athlete Simeon Catharina has a route that could carry him through several rounds, but Caramnob Sagaipov of Lebanon may stand in his way before a possible meeting with Japan’s Dota Arai, who is targeting gold.

For Europe, Pirelli’s form gives Italy a leading contender, while Sherazadishvili, Savytskiy, Fonseca and Catharina are among the European athletes positioned in a fiercely competitive draw. At -100 kg, reputation alone will not be enough. The judoka who reaches the podium will have had to survive one of the tournament’s most unforgiving battles.

Source: IJF.org

Image source: IJF / International Judo Federation