Israeli Judoka Yitzhak Azpiz Aims for Podium at World Championships

Eighteen-year-old Israeli judoka Yitzhak Azpiz is set to compete in the World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, starting Sunday. Azpiz, currently ranked second in the world in the under-60kg category, has achieved significant milestones in Israeli judo since joining the senior circuit less than a year ago. His accolades include a gold medal at the 2023 Cadet World Championships, and this will be his first senior world championship appearance.

Azpiz will begin the tournament in the second round due to his ranking. His opening match is a challenging encounter against Giorgi Sardalashvili of Georgia, the 23-year-old former world and European champion. Should Azpiz advance, he could face Japan's Ryoju Nagayama in the quarterfinals, provided Nagayama also progresses.

Earlier this year, Azpiz defeated the 30-year-old Nagayama at the Paris Grand Slam, a victory considered a major upset that boosted Azpiz's international profile. Nagayama is a prominent figure in men's judo, particularly in the competitive under-60kg division, with his own world championship title and multiple other international medals.

Reflecting on the upcoming championships, Azpiz expressed excitement and readiness, stating, "I feel very good, ready, and I want to get on the mat and compete." He attributes his success to self-belief and a focus on his own capabilities, saying, "I really believe in myself, in my abilities, and I know I am capable of a lot." Azpiz remains unfazed by external pressures and expectations, preferring to concentrate on the challenges ahead and his goal of winning, regardless of the opponent.