Doha, Qatar, May 8, 2023: The President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, hosted a gala dinner for dignitaries attending the World Judo Championships, Doha 2023 at Sheraton Hotel Doha on Sunday, May 7.
Sheikh Joaan, who is also Chairman of the World Judo Championships, greeted many VIPs including the President of the International Judo Federation, Marius Vizer, and presidents of judo federations from around the world for the official dinner held on the first evening of the Championships.
IJF President Vizer, in a meeting with Sheikh Joaan earlier in the week, stated Qatar had “great potential” to host the Olympic Games in the future.
Vizer said: “I hope these Championships will be the best promotion of Qatar’s achievements, excelling as a modern society but inspired by their own history, tradition, culture and with great potential to organise a successful Olympic Games in the future. The ultimate message of this event is a message of peace to the world.”
The World Judo Championships in Doha got underway on May 7 and will conclude on May 14. A total of 657 athletes - 343 men and 314 women - from 99 countries are participating in the competition held at the Ali bin Hamad al Attiyah Arena. There will be seven weight categories in both men’s and women’s events.
World judo powerhouse Japan took the first gold medal of the Championships with Natsumi Tsunoda winning the women’s under 48kg category.
