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      Women's Football: Paris 2024 Olympics African Women qualifiers get underway

      Totallympics

      The road to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics African qualifiers in the women’s division officially gets underway this week with some exciting clashes to look forward to.
      The first three African spots in the men’s qualifiers were officially concluded in Morocco at the TotalEnergies CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations when Morocco, Egypt and Mali booked their respective places to the global showpiece next year.
       
      The Women’s division officially gets underway with some exciting clashes to look forward to this week as the first legs take place between 12 July and 18 July.
      Two spots are reserved for Africa in the women’s division which will be contested for by 25 nations.
       
      The action gets underway on Wednesday, 12 July as Burkina Faso welcomes Mali to the Stade de l’amitie General Mathieu Kerekou for the first leg scheduled for 15h30 GMT.
       
      Two days later, Guinea Bissau welcomes Benin for a 16H00 GMT Kick off at the Estadio 24 Setembro, while Ghana faces off against Guinea in a match that will take place at the same time at the Accra Stadium.
       
      The action continues on Monday, 17 July when Ethiopia plays host to Chad in a fixture that will take place at 12h30 GMT at the Abebe Bekila Stadium in Addis Ababa.
       
      The first round of qualifiers draws to a close on Tuesday, 18 July when Rwanda welcomes Uganda to the Kigali Pele Stadium for a 15H00 GMT kick off while Equatorial Guinea faces Namibia at the Malabo Stadium at the same time.
       
      Meanwhile, Cote D’Ivoire, Tanzania as well as Congo DR gain automatic qualification to the next round following the cancellation of their opponents - which were Sierra Leone for Cote D’Ivoire, Congo for Tanzania as well as Mozambique for Congo DR.
       
      For a full list of home and away fixtures of the first round of Paris 2024 Summer Olympics Africa Women’s Qualifiers,
      2024 Paris Summer Olympics African Women’s Qualifying Fixtures:
      12 July 2023
      Burkina Faso vs Mali 15h30 GMT
      Uganda vs Rwanda 13h00 GMT
       
      13 July 2023
      Ethiopia vs Chad 12h30 GMT
      Namibia vs Equatorial Guinea 13h00 GMT
       
      14 July 2023
      Guinea Bissau vs Benin 16h00 GMT
      Guinea vs Ghana 16h00 GMT
       
      17 July 2023
      Chad vs Ethiopia 13h00 GMT
       
      18 July 2023
      Rwanda vs Uganda 13h00 GMT
      Equatorial Guinea vs Namibia 15h00 GMT
      Ghana vs Guinea 16h00 GMT
      Benin vs Guinea Bissau 16h00 GMT
      Mali vs Burkina Faso 16h30 GMT
       
      Source: cafonline.com
       
       Women's Football CAF African Olympic Games Qualification Tournament 2023 - 2024 Discussion Thread
       
       Women's Football Tournament at the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
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    • Mkbw50

      European Games on Totallympics

      Mkbw50

      The 2023 European Games will be a major qualification pathway event for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and it is all covered on Totallympics and Totallympics News.
       
      The sports
       
      Most Olympic sports contested in Poland (specifically Kraków and the greater Lesser Poland region) will qualify spots for the Olympics. In Artistic Swimming, the European place automatically goes to hosts France. However, qualifying a team automatically qualifies a duet as well. Therefore, France are automatically in the duet, and the host spot reserved for them opens up again. The top duet team, combining technical and free routines (which are separate medal events here) will snag the spot. Non-Olympic qualifying events are the Team technical and free, as well as Mixed duet technical and free, acrobatic routine, and free combination routine.
       
      Staying in the aquatics category and Diving will be integrated into the European Diving Championships for the first time. In each of the four Olympic individual events per gender, the champion will get a place, provided that they do not qualify in the 2023 World Championships in Japan (which is higher up on the priority but later this year). While the writing is a little ambiguous, it seems that the spot will not be retrospectively reallocated if the champion has already qualified, instead it will pass on to the 2024 Championships in Qatar. Apart from these four events, there are the usual synchro events (including the mixed ones), the 1m springboard and a mixed team event.
       
      In Archery, the top ranked team in the recurve event per gender will qualify a spot, subject to the World Championships in neighbouring Germany (which is higher up on the priority despite being later chronologically). Should a team qualify, they also enter three individual athletes. The top mixed team will also qualify one man and one woman. Having at least one man and one woman will qualify. Finally, the top two athletes (from different countries) in the individual recurve competitions per gender will earn a place. In addition to the five Olympic events, there are three compound events: the men's/women's individual and mixed team.
       
      Athletics sees another already existing event integrated in the form of the European Team Athletics Championships. There is no direct qualification here, but ranking points can be earned in the relays. There will be European Games medallists for the first division in the usual events: gendered 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 110m (male)/100m (female) hurdles, 400m hurdles, 3,000m steeplechase, 4x100m, high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus throw, hammer throw, and javelin throw; and a mixed 4x400m relay.
       
      Badminton has a purely rankings-based system for which points will be won, which will apply for the men's/women's singles and men's/women's/mixed doubles.
       
      3x3 Basketball has a mostly rankings-based system and countries can win points here, with a men's and women's event.
       
      Beach Handball is a non-Olympic sport, with men's and women's competition.
       
      Beach Soccer is another non-Olympic sport, which also has one competition per gender.
       
      Boxing sees a major European Olympic qualifier. The events match up with the Olympic weights. In most events, the top four will qualify, while in the Men's Flyweight, Heavyweight, and Super Heavyweight; and the Women's Middleweight, only the top two will.
       
      In the new sport of Breaking, the winner qualifies a spot in both events (male and female).
       
      In Canoe Slalom, the top athlete who hasn't qualified already (the top fifteen in K1 and the top twelve in C1 at the World Championships) will earn a spot. This is applied retrospectively as the Worlds in Great Britain are not until September. There are also Kayak Cross events but these do not qualify for Paris, as well as C1 and K1 team events for both genders.
       
      Staying in the boats with Canoe Sprint, for both genders we see K1 and C1 events in 200m and 500m, K2, C2 and K4 events in 500m, and mixed K2 and C2 events at 200m. However, these do not qualify for the Olympics (I suppose they have bended their 'all Olympic sports' rule to count Canoeing as one sport; if counting ranking points didn't bend them enough.
       
      From the boats to the bikes, and Cycling BMX Freestyle is here but just like Canoe Sprint, this does not qualify for the Olympics in the men's or women's park categories.
       
      Mountain Bike sees continental championships exist, but Europe is not included and so only the ranking points matter in the men's and women's event.
       
      Fencing has the usual twelve events, but only the ranking points matter, and only for the team ones (although a team spot is the main way to qualify individual athletes)
       
      The integration of the European Mixed Team Judo Championships has in some form or another been present at all European Games and this is no different. Ranking points are on the line. Only one gold medal will be handed out for the winner.
       
      Eight Modern Pentathlon places are up for grabs per gender (one per NOC), as long as an athlete didn't grab a place in the earlier World Cup Final (where a non-European won the men's event but Italy's Elena Micheli won the women's) or the World Championships in August in Great Britain. There are also non-Olympic events in the form of gendered team events and a mixed relay.
       
      The non-Olympic sport of Muaythai sees five weight categories for Men (Light Welterweight, Welterweight, Light Middleweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight) and five for Women (Flyweight, Bantamweight, Featherweight, Lightweight, and Light Welterweight).
       
      Another non-Olympic sport, Padel, sees Men's, Women's, and Mixed Doubles competitions.
       
      In Rugby Sevens, this is the European qualifier with the winner getting a place. Hosts France have already qualified by default, while in the Women's event Ireland are another European team to already confirm a berth (through the World Series).
       
      In Shooting, the winner of each individual event (all are being contested) get a spot. These exclude athletes who have already qualified or from countries that have the maximum two spots already: of Europeans, these are:
      Men's 50m Rifle Three Positions: Jon-Hermann Hegg (Norway), Petr Nymburský (Czech Republic), Serhiy Kulish (Ukraine), Tomasz Bartnik (Poland)
      Men's 10m Air Rifle: Danilo Sollazzo (Italy), Jiří Přívratský (Czech Republic), Maximilian Ulbrich (Germany), Patrik Jány (Slovakia)
      Men's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol: Germany (two qualified already), Clément Bessaguet (France)
      Men's 10m Air Pistol: Pavlo Korostylov (Ukraine), Damir Mikec (Serbia), Ruslan Lunev (Azerbaijan)
      Men's Trap: Jiří Lipták (Czech Republic), Rickard Levin-Andersson (Sweden), Nathan Hales (Great Britain)
      Men's Skeet: Luigi Lodde (Italy), Jakub Tomeček (Czech Republic), Stefan Nilsson (Sweden)
      Women's 50m Rifle Three Positions: Rikke Ibsen (Denmark), Veronika Blažíčková (Czech Republic), Jenny Stene (Norway)
      Women's 10m Air Rifle: Julia Ewa Piotrowska (Poland), Seonaid McIntosh (Great Britain), Jeanette Hegg Duestad (Norway)
      Women's 25m Rapid Fire Pistol: Doreen Vennekamp (Germany), Klaudia Breś (Poland), Antoaneta Kostadinova (Bulgaria)
      Women's 10m Air Pistol: Greece (Two qualified) Zorana Arunović (Serbia), Elmira Karapetyan (Armenia), Camile Jedrzejewski (Poland)
      Women's Trap: Silvana Stanco (Italy), Lucy Hall (Great Britain), Carole Cornmeier (France), Fátima Gálvez (Spain)
      Women's Skeet: Amber Hill (Great Britain), Nadine Messerschmidt (Germany), Diana Bacosi (Italy), Vanesa Hocková (Slovakia), Iryna Mavlochiko (Ukraine)
       
      There is no direct qualification for the mixed events, but qualifying one man and one woman will earn a space. Currently, Great Britain have a place in the Trap (with Italy, France, and Spain one man away and the Czech Republic and Sweden one woman away), and Italy have one in the Skeet (with Great Britain, Germany, Slovakia and Ukraine one man away; and the Czech Republic and Sweden one woman away).
       
      Apart from these, there are also gendered team events for every event, and mixed team events for every other event, which are not on the Olympic programme.
       
      Ski Jumping is on the programme but as a Winter Olympic sport does not qualify for Paris. There is a men's, women's and mixed normal hill event and a men's and women's large hill.
       
      Sport Climbing is here but does not qualify Olympic places. There are boulder, lead, and speed events for both genders.
       
      Table Tennis has the usual Olympic five events but this is only the European qualifying event in Mixed Doubles. The winner gets a spot.
       
      Taekwondo will contribute Olympic ranking points. There are double the weights; as well as the Olympic ones there will be Finweight, Bantamweight, Lightweight and Middleweight.
       
      The non-Olympic sport of Teqball sees Men's and Women's Singles and Doubles in addition to Mixed Doubles.
       
      Finally, Triathlon sees ranking points in both the gendered individual and mixed relay events.
       
      There are some non-medal demonstration sports as well: these are Amputee Football, Chess, Motor Racing, Mountaineering, Orienteering, and Sumo, as well as the usual separate but connected E-Sports competition.
       
       
      Totallympics
       
      Totallympics will have you covered throughout the Games, which will last from 21 June to 2 July with some prelimiaries on 20 June. Totallympics News will update on the Olympic qualification, while you can check the forums to discuss the Games as a whole, your favourite sport, and every detail from the mascots to the broadcast graphics, as well as find a helpful community for the best links to watch the Games. Finally, you can join your country's national club to talk about the Games with your "teammates" in your own language, those in European countries are:
      Serbia
      Germany
      Croatia
      Joint Czech Republic-Slovakia
      Romania
      Spain
      Greece
      Poland
      Italy
      Great Britain
      Hungary
      Ireland
      Israel
      Netherlands
      France
       
      And if yours doesn't exist yet, you can create your own!
       
      The Results Database will also be open (and will probably be better than the official one!)
       
      Whatever it is you want from the Games, Totallympics has you covered
       
      Patrick Green
      Writer, Totallympics News
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    • Totallympics

      Poland's Dressage Team Reaches Paris 2024

      Totallympics

      The Dressage team from Poland has qualified to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, after finishing first of three teams vying for one slot at the FEI Designated Qualifying Event at Pilisjászfalu on Thursday.
       
      The Grand Prix test, part of the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ held at the venue near Budapest, determined the qualification, with Poland, Hungary, and Israel all hoping to take the single team berth on offer for Group C.
       
      Poland ended the day on a total of 204.892 points, just ahead of Hungary, who finished on 202.152 for the home crowd. Israel finished third of the three on 192.522 points. It's been a good few weeks for Polish equestrian, with their Eventing team reaching Paris 2024 in the Baborówko qualifier last month.
       
      Fifteen athletes and their equine partners lined up at the start to perform the Grand Prix test for a panel of international judges. With every combo executing the same movements — unlike with the Grand Prix Freestyle — the smallest details had to be right. In addition to technical proficiency, the judges were looking for suppleness, proper framing, smooth transitions, and superior communication with the horse.
       

       
      A Ticket to Paris
       
      Żaneta Skowrońska-Kozubi of Poland and Romantic P were looking strong at the top of the leaderboard near the end of the competition, with one pair left to go. Whilst Lisa Müller of Germany and Gut Wettlkam’s D’avie FRH did ultimately beat them individually with a score of 72.543 percent compared to 69.696 percent, Skowrońska-Kozubi’s marks put Poland ahead of Hungary on the quest to punch a ticket to Paris next year.
       
      With three other Polish athletes in the top 10, Team Hungary were just a step behind and had to settle for second place. Mateusz Cichon and Herzregent 2 finished sixth (67.913 percent), Magdalena Jura and Ron took eighth place (67.283 percent), and Marta Sobierajska and Ultrablue De Massa ended in 10th (65.565 percent).
       
      Benedek Pachi and Donna Friderika were Hungary’s highest performing duo, earning 68.804 percent and fourth place for their Grand Prix test. Anikó Komjáthy-Losonczy took seventh place aboard Dior S (67.696 percent), and Jazmin Yom Tov — the youngest athlete in the event at 21 years old — finished in ninth place with Konfucius.
       
      Rounding out the top 10 were Franziska Stieglmaier of Germany with Samurai 504, who took the Individual bronze medal on 69.522 percent, and her compatriot Rudolf Widmann, who finished fifth aboard Ferrari OLD on 67.978 percent.
       
      Germany’s first, third, and fifth put them in the lead in FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ competition, which continues on Sunday with the Grand Prix Freestyle.
       
      Source: fei.org
       
       Equestrian FEI Dressage Group C Olympic Games Qualifier 2023 Discussion Thread
       
       Equestrian at the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
      Read more...

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    • Totallympics

      Equestrian FEI Eventing Group F & G Olympic Games Qualifier 2023: Australia, China Qualify for Paris 2024

      Totallympics

      Eventing teams from Australia and China will be going to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, after qualifying this weekend at the FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Event for Groups F & G (Africa, Middle East, South East Asia, and Oceania) at Millstreet, in Ireland.
       
      Five teams presented at the start for a chance to punch a ticket to France, but only two berths were on offer for those who placed highly enough. 
       
      It was not the opportunity Team Japan had hoped for, finishing third in the field on 125.7 total points to 100.8 for Australia and 122.1 for China. New Zealand ended their campaign in fourth place (147.4 points), whilst South Africa finished fifth (229.9 points).
       
      With the dressage and cross country segments complete, Australia were in the lead on 85.1 points prior to the final jumping phase on Sunday. Shenae Lowings’ first-place position with Bold Venture gave the Aussies a huge boost, along with Andrew Hoy’s individual bronze medal slot aboard his most recent Olympic mount Vassily de Lassos. 
       
      Team China had moved from fourth to second after the cross country, but quite a ways behind on 113.7 points. Top 10 performances by Alex Hua Tian (Chicko) and Huadong Sun (Lady Chin van't Moerven Z), though, had the Chinese athletes looking good individually. 
       
      In third place, down from second after dressage, Team Japan had Kazuma Tomoto with Brookpark Vikenti in second and Ryuzo Kitajima and Feroza Nieuwmoed in fourth individually for 120.6 total points. New Zealand and South Africa were in fourth and fifth, respectively, hoping to claw back their standings on the arena jumping day. 
       
      It wasn’t to be, though, for the trailing teams, even with a withdrawal from Australia’s Hoy before the jumping began. 
       
      In spite of Individual second- and third-place finishes from Tomoto and Kitajima — Tomoto ending the day on just his dressage score of 28.6 — Japan couldn’t top the results from China and Australia. 
       
      Teammates Yoshiaki Oiwa (No Fear JRA) and Toshiyuki Tanaka (Talma d’Allou) finished in 13th and 14th place, with three members of the Chinese team scoring above them: Hua Tian, Sun, and Yingfeng Bao (Flandia 2). 
       
      Meanwhile, Team Australia had a strong showing on the arena obstacles that cemented their Paris qualification and earned an Individual first place for Lowings. Shane Rose and Dotti finished seventh overall, adding only 4 points for one fence down. Kevin McNab ended in fifth with Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend, also snagging 4 in penalties. 
       
      Shenae Lowings held onto her first-place spot earned at the start, finishing on her dressage score of 24.9 points for a double victory that no doubt sent her home smiling. 
       
      It’s getting down to the sharp end of the stick to qualify for Paris. International teams will have only three more chances to earn a spot at the Château de Versailles next year. 
       
      The first will be the FEI Eventing European Championship at Pin au Haras, France, in August. October’s 2023 Pan American Games at Santiago, Chile will be another. And the final FEI Nations Cup show at Boekelo in the Netherlands will end opportunities to qualify, other than through a few remaining Individual slots. 
       
      Who will fans see when the Equestrian events begin in Paris next year? Catch up with all the news on FEI.org and enjoy live Eventing competition on FEI TV.

      Source: fei.org
       
       Equestrian FEI Eventing Group F & G Olympic Games Qualifier 2023 Discussion Thread
       
       Equestrian at the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
      Read more...

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    • Totallympics

      UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Final: Micheli (ITA) and Shaban (EGY) secure Olympic qualification

      Totallympics

      Paris 2024 quota places secured by champion athletes from Italy and Egypt Ozyuksel (TUR) and Oteiza (FRA) claim medals in thrilling Women’s Final Late slip denies Choong (GBR) glory as Hernandez (MEX) takes Men’s Final bronze  
      Elena Micheli of Italy and Mohanad Shaban of Egypt have secured the first two direct qualification quota places for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after winning individual gold at the UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Final.
       
      Micheli (ITA) won a thrilling Women’s Final after holding off the challenge of local favourite Ilke Ozyuksel of Türkiye, who delighted the home crowd with silver, and bronze medallist Marie Oteiza of France, with Alice Sotero (ITA), Gintare Venckauskaite of Lithuania and Kerenza Bryson of Great Britain completing the top six.
       
      The Men’s Final almost had to be abandoned due to heavy rain, but it finally took place after a three-hour rain delay. And slippery conditions were a major factor in a heart-stopping Laser Run climax.
       
      Shaban (EGY) ended up on his back at the first corner, but it was a slip from Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Joseph Choong of Great Britain in the final metres that determined the winner as Shaban (EGY) prevailed in one of the most dramatic sprint finishes Modern Pentathlon has seen.
       
      Emiliano Hernandez of Mexico held off pressure from Csaba Bohm of Hungary to secure bronze, while Woojin Park of Korea and Marek Grycz of Czech Republic completed the top six.
       

      Medallists’ reaction
      Women’s champion Micheli (ITA) said: “I can’t actually believe it, because I stayed at home for one week because of a little injury, and I came here thinking ‘OK, let’s try it for some experience, to add it to my baggage’, and now I did it!
       
      “Everything was happening, I was trying a new gun and also my dog threw me on the ground three days ago. So I came here to try, and then I noticed I was gaining points and moving up many positions, and I thought ‘maybe I can do it today, I just need to believe in myself’.
       
      “It’s funny because something always seems to happen before the competition. I don’t know if I have to expect my life to go this way every time, but if the conclusion is like this today, OK, I can live with it.
       
      “I really have to thank all the staff, the ones that follow me every day. Thanks to Gigi, thanks to my parents, to my brothers, to Pierpaolo who stays at my side, to my friends. Thanks to all at the Carabinieri Sports Centre because it would be impossible to do this without you.”
       
      Silver medallist Ozyuksel (TUR) added: “I fell down at the beginning of the Laser Run, same as I did one month ago in the same place, so during the competition I felt so much pain.
       
      “I’m happy. I wanted to take the first place for Olympic qualification, but with 2nd place I am happy too. We will look for qualification in the future at the European Games and World Championships.
       
      “We will see – our preparation is going very well and I can focus so much better than I could last year. I can control myself more, so I am happy. Looking in future for the gold medal.
       
      “It’s unbelievable [to win a medal in a home event], and actually I was thinking about the 1st place and I got so stressed in the final shoot because I was too excited, I couldn’t control myself. But 2nd place is good too.”
       
      Bronze medallist Oteiza (FRA) said: “It’s a long process to be back at this level, and I am happy because my technical disciplines are better and better, and now it’s just Swimming and Running that are coming back slowly.
       
      “I’m really happy with this competition, which has the Olympic format – 3rd place is really nice. Shooting was OK but there were really good shooters and runners with me, and it was a battle – the last 600m was a real battle.
       
      “Elena was better than me today, also Ilke, but I’m really satisfied with this race. I hope my family watched and my boyfriend, and I am really proud to show them that slowly, but surely, I am coming back.”
       

       
      Men’s champion Shaban (EGY) said: “In my first World Cup of the season, in Egypt, I took the 4th place; then I got the gold here in Ankara and then the silver in Budapest. Then I came back here for the World Cup Final and I took the gold from the Olympic champion and the best finisher I think in Pentathlon – I’m so happy.
       
      “I hope to do it again in Paris 2024, and nothing is impossible. Maybe I could.”
       
      Silver medallist Choong (GBR) added: “It was a great finish. We came down the slight slope and people had their phone lights on trying to light the floor – but it doesn’t do anything, occasionally you hit a muddy bit and you slip.
      “There was a bit of jostling, as there always is, but I hit the last corner and then hit a puddle and tilted forwards. From then I’m sliding, splashing around, a bit like ice skating, to be honest.
       
      “But all credit to Mohanad, he’s got a good finish and I think it’s the first time someone has outsprinted me. Fair play – I’m not particularly happy about it but I’ll have it next time.
       
      “I choose to see it as a positive. In the last cycle I got that first Olympic qualification spot, and then it was a bit of a weird feeling at the Europeans because that’s the best chance to get the Olympic qualification, and it’s coming up in a few weeks.
      “For me not to have it now is almost a good thing because it keeps me hungry and excited for the next competition.
      “Becoming European champion would complete my collection, and I don’t know how many pentathletes have ever got the whole package, so that’s a big goal for me. Also the other guys like Shaban and Jun and other great athletes won’t be there, so hopefully I’m in with a good shout.”
       
      Bronze medallist Hernandez (MEX) said: “I’m amazed. We did so much hard work this season, and I have a special coach who told me ‘it’s time to put the game in play, nothing to lose, everything to win’.
      “I am amazed because that coach changed my mentality in this competition, and I am super happy. I hope everyone at home is happy and enjoying that Mexico is on the podium.
       
      “My goal was to qualify for Paris 2024, but they say when you aim to the stars, maybe you will arrive to the moon. And right now it’s the moon – I just finished 3rd in a World Cup Final and it’s amazing.
      “There are several months of hard work ahead, but I know that with my team I can have an amazing Pan American Games.”
       

       
      Women’s Final
      Riding
      The nerves of competing on this elevated stage were apparent as athletes undertook a challenging Riding course, but Ozyuksel (TUR) did her best to calm the tension with a 293.
       
      The big mover was Olivia Green (GBR), whose flawless round took her from 16th all the way up to 5th overall. Lithuania trio Venckauskaite (286), Laura Asadauskaite (279) and Ieva Serapinaite (286) stayed in contention and then the world champion announced her claim.
       
      Micheli (ITA) rode serenely to register an immaculate score of 300 that moved her into the top three, and she was only denied further progress by a 300 from Karolina Krenkova (CZE) and a 299 from ice queen Oteiza (FRA), who moved 14 points clear overall.
      It was a tough round for Rebecca Langrehr of Germany and Elodie Clouvel (FRA), each of whom incurred 28 penalties, while Mariana Arceo (MEX) and Seungmin Seong (KOR) reached the end of the road with elimination.
       

      Fencing
      Having moved into the top 10 overall, the star of the Bonus Round was Ozyuksel (TUR) as she scored four victories for another eight points boosting her podium prospects.
       
      Asadauskaite (LTU), Micheli (ITA) and Krenkova (CZE) also moved four points closer to their goal, but Oteiza (FRA) had the final word with a victory over Clouvel (FRA) that maintained her 14-point cushion.
       
      Oteiza (FRA) had achieved the highest score of 24V/11D in the Fencing Ranking Round, with defending champion Clouvel (FRA) only one victory worse off.
       
      Three athletes qualified for the Final after scoring a competitive 21V/13D – Langrehr (GER), Krenkova (CZE) and Seong (KOR).
       
      Swimming
      The swim was destined to be a showdown between the women who won the two biggest annual prizes in Modern Pentathlon last year.
       
      And it was the 2022 world champion Micheli (ITA) who touched first in the final heat in 2min 14.77sec, beating the defending Pentathlon World Cup Final champion Clouvel (FRA) by 0.63sec. The overall lead of Oteiza (FRA) was cut to 12 points as Micheli (ITA) strengthened her position and Clouvel (FRA) gained six points on her team-mate.
      The fastest swim of the day came in the second heat, won by a huge margin by Sotero (ITA) as she moved from 11th to 5th overall with a terrific 2:10.94.
       

       
      Laser Run
      Immediately Oteiza (FRA) looked vulnerable in pole position, as her lead was eroded in the first run and then she suffered a 26sec shoot, allowing Micheli (ITA) and Krenkova (CZE) to take advantage. In fact it was Krenkova (CZE) who caught the eye most in the first half of the race and took the lead briefly after a second rapid shoot.
      Behind the top three, Sotero (ITA), Ozyuksel (TUR) and Asadauskaite (LTU) were all advancing well, but Micheli (ITA) had the race-management experience and stamina to know that if she could control her shooting, she could win the race, and so it proved when a clamour of athletes arrived at the range for the final time and it was the world champion’s clinical 10sec shoot that proved decisive.
       
      Micheli (ITA) ran powerfully and held on to win by 3sec, leaving all the drama behind her. Having cut her knee so early in the race, the tenacious Ozyuksel (TUR) seemed to have enough momentum to achieve an unforgettable home win, but her final shoot let her down, like it had for Asadauskaite (LTU) on the third circuit.
      Their struggles enabled Sotero (ITA) to leave the fourth shoot looking good for an Italian one-two, but she was caught by Oteiza (FRA) and then by the marauding Ozyuksel (TUR).
       
      They were joined on the podium by Venckauskaite (LTU), whose Laser Run time of 11:26.30 was easily the best of the day, and Pentathlon World Cup Sofia champion Bryson (GBR, 11.47.10), who was quicker than everyone else except Ozyuksel (TUR, 11.41.90).
       
      Men’s Final
      Riding
      After a long wait for the rain to cease and the venue to become playable, another tense Riding round brought out the best of horsemanship in numerous athletes.
      Clean rounds enabled Grycz (CZE), Hernandez (MEX) and Park (KOR) to move up the overall standings, with Hernandez (MEX) vaulting from 10th all the way up to 2nd.
       
      Choong (GBR) and leader Shaban (EGY) each stayed in contention with a 286, while Matteo Cicinelli (ITA) and Bohm (HUN) remained prominent with only one knockdown in their rounds.
       
      The field of 18 contenders was reduced to 15 with elimination for Marvin Dogue (GER), Pavlo Tymoshchenko of Ukraine and, to the relief of the other medal favourites, defending champion and world No.1 Woongtae Jun (KOR).
       

       
      Fencing
      The Fencing Bonus Round is not the most heavily-weighted part of the sport but sometimes in the final analysis, victory in a single bout can appear to be a decisive factor. So it proved when Shaban (EGY) took his opportunity to add four points to his tally and, in doing so, deny Choong (GBR) two points to the six he had already gained from three wins.
       
      The other stars of the Bonus Round were Changwan Seo (KOR) with four wins and Grycz (CZE) with three.
       
      The Ranking Round had been dominated by Shaban (EGY), continuing his irrepressible form of 2023. With an impressive 25V/10D, he managed one more victory than Jun (KOR) and Linbin Zhang of China. Choong (GBR) was joined by Manuel Padilla (MEX) and Park (KOR) on a solid 22 victories.
       
      Swimming
      Predictably, world No.2 and reigning world champion Choong (GBR) boosted his victory bid in the pool, but only gained three points on Shaban (EGY) while Cicinelli (ITA) posted what was narrowly the best time of the day, 2:03.55.
      Choong (GBR) also ducked under 2:04 in the Pentathlon Arena 25m pool for 303 points, while Bohm (HUN) added 301 and Shaban (EGY) 300 to their overall tally.
       

       
      Laser Run
      There had to be an element of improvisation in the way the venue was rearranged to enable the Men’s Final to take place, and there were areas of the running course that the floodlights could not reach. Shaban (EGY) found this to his cost when he ran into the opening corner and lost his footing completely in a puddle.
       
      It was remarkable how well the 22-year-old Egyptian recovered from that mishap to protect his 10sec starting lead. Once again he shot with masterful consistency (12sec/12sec/8sec), only giving Choong (GBR) a chance at the last visit to the range when he took 17sec to fire his shots.
       
      Choong (GBR) seemed to have seized his chance as he muscled past his rival before entering the darkened wooded section of the cross-country course, where overtaking was unlikely. But Shaban (EGY) gritted his teeth and stayed right on the elbow of the more celebrated athlete, setting up a frantic sprint to the line that evoked memories of the epic duel between James Cooke (GBR) and Valentin Prades (FRA) at the UIPM 2018 Pentathlon World Championships in Mexico City (MEX).
       
      Speaking of Mexico, winning bronze was a monumental achievement for Hernandez (MEX), younger brother of Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Ismael Hernandez (MEX). Especially as he held off the challenge of one of the hottest athletes of this Olympic cycle, Bohm (HUN).
       
      Conditions being as bad as they were, those who mastered the conditions best could be truly proud of their efforts, as Balazs Szep (HUN) managed the day’s best time of 10:30.57, with Seo (KOR, 10:31.99) next-fastest ahead of Choong (GBR, 10:36.60).
       
      President’s reaction
      UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “The Women’s Final this morning included a lucky situation with the weather conditions that enabled us to see an excellent competition in this fantastic facility with five disciplines in a Pentathlon Arena.
       
      “The athletes performed so well, knowing that only the winning place would be a seat at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and we saw a great final with the Laser Run which is always the most exciting part of our multi-sport Modern Pentathlon.
       
      “I also want to underline that the volunteers and referees and everyone who is vital to a successful competition created a great foundation for our sport. The athletes were fantastic and let’s see now what they can achieve in the continental championships and the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships in Bath coming up soon.
       
      “It was also super to see the host nation celebrating their silver medal won by Ilke Ozyuksel.
       
      “In the men’s competition there was a really big challenge for all of us – for the organisers, for the Union and for the athletes and coaches – when we saw this unbelievable rainfall that almost stopped the event.
       
      “After a long discussion with the coaches – and it was very important to listen to the athletes – we finally decided following the athletes’ wishes that we could replicate all that was needed to keep the competition at the same facility.
      “But the Men’s Final was so exciting, and everybody thought the Olympic champion would win but the Egyptian athlete has a big heart, and to fight him down in the final metres was so exciting.
       
      “I congratulate all athletes who were on the podium, all who reached today’s Finals and also all athletes who qualified for this competition. Thanks to the Turkish Federation and National Olympic Committee and all involved in this fantastic first Olympic qualification competition in Ankara.”
       
       
      Source: uipmworld.org
       
       Modern Pentathlon UIPM World Cup 2023 Discussion Thread
       
       Modern Pentathlon at the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
      Read more...

      1007 • 0

    • Totallympics

      UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Final: All you need to know

      Totallympics

      Serapinaite (LTU) and Shaban (EGY) are top qualifiers for Ankara (TUR) Glittering array of past champions in the chase for Olympic places Who will be the first two pentathletes to qualify for Paris 2024?  
      There is a moment in every Olympic cycle when the reality of qualification is no longer somewhere on the horizon. It’s here.
      Four days from now in Ankara (TUR), two athletes will have earned their countries a direct qualification quota place for Modern Pentathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
       
      Success at the UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Final is the first of numerous opportunities to stake a claim to be on the start line in Versailles, but competition is fierce with only one female and one male athlete earning the accolade.
      And there are dozens of athletes among the 72 qualifiers who are capable of winning if they can achieve peak performance on the day.
       
      Ones to watch – Women
       

       
      Two female athletes achieved the highest level of consistency during the regular season, enabling them to top the UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup qualification rankings.
       
      Thanks to her gold medal here in Ankara (TUR) and bronze in Sofia (BUL), Ieva Serapinaite of Lithuania scored 136 qualification points – one more than Salma Abdelmaksoud of Egypt, who won bronze in Cairo (EGY) and Budapest (HUN) and reached the Final in Ankara (TUR).
       
      As the season wore on, Serapinaite (LTU) and the rest of the field sensed the growing threat of her team-mates, Laser Run specialists Gintare Venckauskaite (LTU) and Laura Asadauskaite (LTU) – who secured Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification by winning this event in 2019 in Tokyo (JPN).
       
      They are likely to be part of the storyline this week, along with 2022 world champion Elena Micheli of Italy, although her form – 4th in Cairo (EGY) and 17th in Budapest (HUN) – is perhaps not yet where she would like it to be.
       
      Speaking of form, Blanka Guzi of Hungary could be a contender after her world-record winning performance on home soil in Budapest (HUN), which she followed with a 7th in Sofia (BUL). And Kerenza Bryson of Great Britain comes into the Final on the back of a double gold in Sofia (BUL), making her a real contender alongside world No.4 Jessica Varley (GBR), last year’s silver medallist.
       
      The defending champion this week is Elodie Clouvel of France, who started the season with silver in Cairo (EGY) and followed up with 6th in Ankara (TUR). Like two-time World Cup winner Marie Oteiza (FRA), if the world No.2 can steady her nerves in the shooting range she could be hard to beat.
       
      Local favourite Ilke Ozyuksel of Türkiye is another top-10 athlete lurking in the field, along with Olivia Green (GBR), while 20-year-old Seungmin Seong of Korea leads the charge of the next generation – and Asia – after her silver medal in Sofia (BUL) capped a strong season.
       
      From the Western Hemisphere, Mariana Arceo of Mexico reached the top eight in the qualification rankings and, besides the individual event, will be a big contender for gold in the Mixed Relay if selected.
       
      Visit the UIPM website to see the full UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup rankings for women.
       
      Ones to watch – Men
       

       
      Few athletes are able to overcome the handicap of a poor Fencing performance in Modern Pentathlon, but for those who excel on the piste, the challenge is more about learning to defend a lead.
       
      Accomplished fencer Mohanad Shaban (EGY) showed admirable improvement in this regard during the regular season. Having been caught in Laser Run to finish 4th in the season-opener in Cairo (EGY), he responded with remarkable maturity to win gold in Ankara (TUR) and silver in Budapest (HUN), giving him a colossal 163 qualification points.
       
      By contrast, an athlete who tends to operate by stealth is 2nd-ranked Martin Vlach of Czech Republic, the Laser Run world record-holder who took bronze in Cairo (EGY) and Budapest (HUN) either side of a 5th place in Ankara (TUR).
       
      With 148 points, Vlach (CZE) arrives here just ahead of Valentin Prades (FRA), gold medallist in Sofia (BUL) and an athlete with supreme pedigree having won the UIPM Pentathlon World Cup Final three times – in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
       
      Speaking of pedigree, it’s hard not to view the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and 2022 world champion Joseph Choong (GBR) as the men’s gold-medal favourite this week. Even though his last visit to Ankara (TUR) did not yield a vintage performance, a 4th place in Sofia (BUL) suggested ominous momentum.
       
      There are a few athletes so consistent in their application of the five disciplines that when all goes well, they are simply unbeatable. Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, defending World Cup Final champion, world No.1 and world record-holder Woongtae Jun (KOR) certainly belongs in that category, as demonstrated by his awesome gold in Budapest (HUN).
       
      So who else has what it takes to scale the men’s podium on Super Saturday? There is a long list of contenders including Valentin Belaud (FRA), team-mates Csaba Bohm and Balazs Szep (HUN) and the veteran Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist, Pavlo Tymoshchenko of Ukraine and Sofia (BUL) silver medallist Taishu Sato of Japan.
       
      Visit the UIPM website to see the full UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup rankings for men.
       
      Road to Paris 2024
      The first direct qualification quota places for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be won on 3 June – the individual finals day at the UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Final.
      There are another 14 competitions taking place in 2023 and 2024 where points count towards the dream of competing in the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad in Paris (FRA). Discover the Modern Pentathlon qualification pathway.
       
      President’s welcome
      UIPM President Dr Klaus Schormann said: “Türkiye has become a very dependable partner in our global sports movement and this week Ankara hosts the UIPM Pentathlon World Cup Final for the second successive year with a wonderful Pentathlon Arena where spectators will be able to watch all five disciplines in the same venue.
       
      “The format will be an exact replica of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 Modern Pentathlon competition, enabling athletes and coaches to precisely rehearse their actions and routines.
       
      “I would like to thank the Turkish Modern Pentathlon Federation for arranging this showpiece competition, as well as the upcoming UIPM 2023 U19 World Championships in Istanbul where we will see the exciting integration of Obstacle into Modern Pentathlon.
      “For now, it is all about the elite competition here in Ankara, where 72 of the world’s most versatile athletes are competing at the highest level in the historic Modern Pentathlon disciplines of Riding, Fencing, Swimming and Laser Run in the hope of making their Olympic dreams come true.
       
      “Once again, I ask athletes to remember their responsibility to compete in a spirit of fair play, as our founder Pierre de Coubertin envisaged, and respect the Olympic values as we together enjoy the glory of our wonderful sport of Modern Pentathlon. Faster, Stronger, Higher … Together.”
        Competition schedule
      UIPM 2023 Pentathlon World Cup Final
      Times denote start of UIPM.TV live coverage (CEST)
      May 31: Fencing Ranking Round
      June 1: Women’s Semi-Final A (9am) | Women’s Semi-final B (3pm)
      June 2: Men’s Semi-Final A (9am) | Men’s Semi-final B (3pm)
      June 3: Women’s Final (9am) | Men’s Final (3pm)
      June 4: Mixed Relay (11.30am)
       
      Source: uipmworld.org
       
       Modern Pentathlon UIPM World Cup 2023 Discussion Thread
       
       Modern Pentathlon at the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
      Read more...

      1103 • 0

    • Totallympics

      Draw announced for Women’s African Olympic Football Tournament Qualifiers

      Totallympics

      There are exciting fixtures lined up ahead after the draw for the qualifiers of the Paris 2024 Women's Olympic Football Tournament (WOFT) was conducted on Tuesday.   Among the entertaining matches lined up include a West African derby pitting Guinea and Ghana, while Uganda will take on Rwanda in an East African duel.
       
      Burkina Faso will take on Mali in another entertaining fixture in the first round.
       
      A total of 25 teams have entered the Olympic qualifying tournament, with 18 set to be involved in the first round. The remaining seven, headlined by champions South Africa are the highest ranked teams from last year’s TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and will join the competition in the second round.
       
      The nine winners from the first round will join the seven highest ranked teams for a second-round tie involving 16 teams. The eight winners progress to the third round, then the fourth round where the teams will be whittled to four.
       
      Winners of the fourth round will qualify for the final tournament.
       
      At the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Zambia represented Africa, and the She-polopolo will start their journey towards a possible back-to-back qualification in the second round.
       
      The first-round matches are scheduled for July 10-18 2023, the second round October 23-31, third round February 19-28 February 2024 while the final round will be staged between April 1-9 2024.
      First Round Fixtures:
      Guinea Bissau vs Benin, Guinea vs Ghana, Burkina Faso vs Mali, Cote d’Ivoire vs Sierra Leone, Namibia vs Equatorial Guinea, Uganda vs Rwanda, Ethiopia vs Chad, Congo vs Tanzania, Mozambique vs DR Congo.
      Second Round Fixtures:
      Guinea Bissau/Benin vs Guinea/Ghana, Burkina Faso/Mali vs Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire/Sierra Leone vs Tunisia, Namivia/Equatorial Guinea vs Morocco, Uganda/Rwanda vs Cameroon, Ethiopia/Chad vs Nigeria, Congo/Tanzania vs Botswana, Mozambique/DR Congo vs South Africa.
      Match Schedule
      First round 10–18 July 2023
      Second round 23–31 October 2023
      Third round 19–28 February 2024
      Fourth round 1–9 April 2024
       
      Source: cafonline.com
      Source: fiba.basketball
       
       Women's Football CAF African Olympic Games Qualification Tournament 2023 - 2024 Discussion Thread
       
       Women's Football Tournament at the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
      Read more...

      891 • 0

    • Vojthas

      Poland with an Olympic team quota in Eventing

      Vojthas

      The CCIO4*-L contest at Equestrian Festival Baborówko has decided the Olympic quota for the team in group C. It was won by the host team of Poland - the only one to complete the eventing with all the riders.
       
      Already on Thursday it was clear that Czech team will not participate in this battle as Miloslav Přihoda Jr's horse Ferreolus Lat didn't pass the veterinarian inspection. It brought the battle down to two teams - Poland and Hungary. Dressage test gave 9,7 point of advantage to the hosts, but it was the cross country to become crucial.
       
      With Noémi Viola Doerfer falling of her horse and Balázs Kaizinger retiring and all the Polish pairs reaching the finish line with no obstacle penalties it was enough for Poland to complete the competition to get the tickets to Paris. The CCIO4*-L contest was however a great chance to get the MER score - and all the Polish athletes reached the final TOP5 with Jan Kamiński winning, Mateusz Kiempa (starting individually only), Małgorzata Korycka, Paweł Warszawski and Wiktoria Knap behind him.
       
      Now it's up to the national team's coach, Olympic champion Andreas Dibowski, to pick the three pairs and an alternate one for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. According to the plan, he wants to raise the level in Poland to have seven or eight pairs to pick from late spring next year.
       
       Equestrian FEI Eventing Group C Olympic Games Qualifier 2023 Discussion Thread
       
       Eqeustrian at the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
      Read more...

      1225 • 0

    • Vojthas

      And then there were two - Eventing Group C Qualifier preview

      Vojthas

      Thursday was te first competition day of Equestrian Festival Baborówko, which CCIO4*-L contest is the Paris 2024 Qualification event for Group C. The veterinarian inspection for the participating was held and that brought the battle to just two nations.
       
      Only four countries entered their athletes to the CCIO4*-L - Bulgaria with just one Petar Marchev and Gaskon, Czech Republic and Hungary with three pairs and the event host, Poland, with six pairs. During the horse inspection Miloslav Přihoda Jr and Ferreorus Lat were eliminated, which caused Czech team to be incomplete and thus unable to battle for the Olympic quota.
       
       
      This means only two countries will have the opportunity to fight for the Paris 2024 - Hungary and Poland. With Poland having six pairs in the CCIO4*-L, the national team coach, Andreas Dibowski, decided the team will feature Małgorzata Korycka and Canvalencia, Jan Kamiński and Jard, Paweł Warszawski and Lucinda Ex Ani 4 and Wiktoria Knap and Quintus 134. The Hungarian team will have Balázs Kaizinger and Clover 15, Noémi Viola Doerfer and Crystal Barney and Imre Tóth and Zypresse 8.
       
      The dressage test will be held on Friday, the cross on Saturday while the final show jumping test will decide the quota on Sunday. Poland seems to be favorite again - they've won the quota for Tokyo 2020 Olympics four years ago, also in Baborówko.
       
       Equestrian FEI Eventing Group C Olympic Games Qualifier 2023 Discussion Thread
       
       Eqeustrian at the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
      Read more...

      1030 • 0

    • Totallympics

      Moroccan duo wins two slots at the 2024 Olympic breakdancing competition

      Totallympics

      They’ve conquered Africa, next stop the Olympics.
       
      Morocco won gold in both the women and men’s categories of the inaugural African breakdancing championships in Rabat on Saturday, securing the country two spots at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
       
      The men’s final pitted fellow Moroccans, B-Boys Billy and Tawfiq against each other, with Bilal Mallakhaka going on to win.
      "Today I won the African breakdance championship which leads me to represent Africa at the Olympic Games in Paris. I will work hard for a better representation of Africa," said B-Boy Billy.
       
      In the women’s section, Fatima Zahra El Mamouny, known as B-Girl Elmamouny, got the better of South African Midian Leah to win the title.
       
      "This is an historical moment, a huge milestone for the WDSF Breaking, the first continental championship in Africa,” said World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) Secretary General, Sergei Nifontov.
       
      “This year, because it is a pre-Olympic year and due to our system of qualification, two quarter places will be given to Paris through this qualification," he said.
       
      Breakdance is one of the four new disciplines to be included in the Olympic Games in 2024, along with climbing, surfing, and skateboarding.
       
      Also known as "breaking", this style of urban dance developed in New York in the 1970s and is now practised globally.
       
      Source: africanews.com
       
       Breaking WDSF African Championships 2023 Discussion Thread
       
       Breaking at the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
      Read more...

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    • Totallympics

      France win back-to-back titles in Cardiff; Great Britain and Denmark qualify for Paris 2024

      Totallympics

      France are the 2023 European champions! The defending champions made it back-to-back titles with a 49-55 win over host nation Great Britain at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
       
      A nervy start to the game saw high pressure defence from Great Britain force France into two timeouts in the first two plays. Finding a way through, the team in blue had their noses in front at the first quarter break with the scores at 13-14. Early into the second period, a fumbled pass from GB was sized upon by France who were able to convert the turnover and extend their lead to two points. Another significant moment came in the second quarter when GB forced two turnovers to take the advantage in the match. With the scores at 39-39 another wayward GB pass gave France the opportunity to go ahead, which they duly took. A huge hit on GB’s Aaron Phipps forced the crowd favourite to be penalised for an infringement and France turned the game on its head in the final seconds of the third quarter.
       
      From then on they dominated, not letting Great Britain back into the match and extending their lead to an unassailable six tries.
       
      In the bronze medal match Denmark beat Germany 50-53 in a thrilling clash to secure a place on the European championship podium and a ticket to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

      In an end-to-end encounter, the scores were level until late into the first quarter when a Leon Jorgensen interception was capitalised on by Denmark who went into the first period 11-13 up. Germany gathered momentum in the second quarter, bringing the scores level. Tries were exchanged until 46-46 when Denmark forced two consecutive turnovers to regain the lead with four minutes to go. Denmark held onto their advantage until the final whistle when they celebrated their bronze medal and qualification for Paris 2024.
       
      Earlier in the day, Switzerland defeated the 42-46 to claim 5th place at the tournament.
       
      Final finishing positions
      1. France
      2. Great Britain
      3. Denmark
      4. Germany
      5. Switzerland
      6. Netherlands
      7. Israel
      8. Czech Republic
       
      Source: wreuro23.com
       
       
       Paralympic Sports Qualification to Summer Paralympic Games Paris 2024 Discussion Thread
       
        Wheelchair Rugby Tournament at the Summer Paralympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
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      1155 • 0

    • owenp_23

      Doha welcomes the World of Judo for 2023 Championships

      owenp_23

      On May 7th the excitement begins. After four months of thrilling judo on the IJF Grand Slam and Grand Prix tours, the world's best judokas converge in Qatar for a week of World Championship action. 667 athletes representing 99 nations from all five IJF continental regions will take part in the event staged at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiya (ABHA) Arena.
       
      France will look to flex their muscles on day one with the possibility of bringing home multiple medals in the lightest weight classes. Blandine Pont is in the mix for Women's -48kg gold and both Luke Mkheidze and Cedric Revol are contenders for podium places in Men's -60kg.
       
      Japan, as always, will be a force at the championships. Although they have not been as prominent along the World Tour so far, Japan still brings a star-studded roster to Qatar that includes Natsumi Tsunoda (W48), Uta Abe (W52), Haruka Funakubo (W57), Megumi Horikawa (W63), Saki Niizoe (W70), Shori Hamada (W78), Naohisa Takato (M60), Hifumi Abe (M66), and Sanshiro Murao (M90).
       
      Another team to keep an eye on is Canada. Christa Deguchi and Jessica Klimkait will once again battle in the Women's -57kg category while Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard will contest a very competitive -63kg field. On the men's side, names like Francois Gauthier Drapeau, Kyle Reyes, and Shady Elnahas could make a splash.
       
      Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan have all had good results in the 2023 season and look to pick up some positive results over the week in Doha.
       
      European nations with large contingencies include Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.
       
      Then there is the return of the Russian and Belarusian athletes. The 19 judokas entered under the title "Individual Neutral Athletes" span 11 weight categories. Neither Russia nor Belarus have won medals at a World Tour event in 2023.
       
      The fun begins on Monday and will continue all through the week. Are you ready for JuDoha?
       
      owenp_23
      Totallympics News
       
       Judo IJF World Championships 2023 Discussion Thread
       
       Judo at the Summer Olympic Games Paris 2024 Qualification Tracker
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