Six UAE judokas to face global field of 530 at Lausanne Grand Slam event

The UAE national judo team will begin its campaign at the Lausanne Grand Slam on Saturday, 29 August, fielding a six-member squad in the high-profile international tournament. The competition, which runs from 26 August to 30 August, has attracted 530 judokas from 78 countries, according to organizers. Squad lineup and weight categories Karim Abdel Latif and Naji Yazbek will lead the UAE’s opening efforts in the -73kg category, alongside Giorgi Elbakiev who competes in the -81kg division. The national team will conclude its participation on Sunday, 30 August, with Aram Grigorian and Talal Shafili competing in the -90kg class, Omar Maarouf in the +100kg heavyweight category, and Eliza Litev representing the UAE in the women’s -78kg event. The tournament officially begins on Friday, 28 August, with lightweight matches following a formal draw scheduled for Friday, 27 August. The Lausanne Grand Slam is one of the premier events on the international judo circuit, providing UAE athletes with critical exposure against top-tier global opposition and a 10-member refugee team also registered for the event. Inclusive competition format A specific feature of this year’s edition is the introduction of dedicated competitions for People of Determination. This addition to the Lausanne program is designed to provide equal competitive opportunities within the sport and promote broader societal inclusion. The UAE’s participation comes as national sports federations increase their involvement…