Tough challenge awaits Swiss at judo world championships
The judo world championships have begun in Munich, with the Swiss team facing a difficult task after their disappointing results at the Sydney Olympic games. In his first confrontation on Friday, Switzerland's Sergei Aschwanden is to face the current world champion, Britain's Graeme Randall.
Aschwanden, a former European champion, lost against Randall two years ago at the world championships in Birmingham. He was defeated in the second round by Randall, who won an ippon.
His compatriot, Dominique Hischier, will face New Zealand’s Robert Levy on Friday in the under-90-kilogram category.
Because of the number of prestigious judokas in Munich, both athletes need at least five victories if they hope to win a medal.
In the women’s section, Switzerland’s Isabelle Schmutz, who won a silver medal at the European Championships in Paris in May, is to face the Armenian Kristin Nariarian on Saturday. Schmutz was victorious against Nariarian in Paris in the under-52-kilogram category.
Her teammate, Lena Göldi, will meet Austria’s Sabrina Filzmoser on the same day.
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