Judoka Inbal Shemesh Ready for World Championships After Weight Class Change

Israeli judoka Inbal Shemesh is set to compete in her sixth career senior World Championships in Baku, marking her first appearance in the under-57 kg weight class. She missed last year's championships due to an escalation with Iran, which led to the closure of Israeli airspace as she was en route to the airport. Shemesh previously competed in the under-63 kg category but made the uncommon decision to drop a weight class.

Shemesh is coming off a silver medal win at the Grand Slam in Tbilisi approximately seven months ago. She has positive memories of Baku, having won a gold medal at the Grand Slam there in 2022, and hopes to contend for a podium finish again. Reflecting on the previous year's missed opportunity, Shemesh stated, "It was truly, truly cruel... but that's history, it's passed and we move forward." She added, "I hope the Iranians wait this time, because I really want to compete."

Regarding her readiness for the new weight class, Shemesh expressed excitement and a feeling of strength. "There's something very exciting about a new category, it has new challenges, and it's a bit of changing the cards," she said. While still learning her opponents and the nuances of the lighter division, she feels prepared and aims to perform at her best.

Shemesh acknowledged that adjusting to weight cuts and the physical demands of the new class is ongoing, but she believes her accumulated experience will be beneficial. "I already feel that things are much more in my control, and I hope that will be reflected," she stated. She is eager to begin competing and is motivated to prove herself in this new chapter of her career, aiming for a medal.