Year overview of the World Leading women judoka of 2016

Three European athletes, two Asian and two Pan American athletes are leading the last World Ranking of the year, what was called the IJF Prestige ranking. Mongolia is the most dominant nation in the world ranking for women with two leading positions. Former Mongolian, now Kazakh judoka Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh won the most prize money, $15,500 of which 20% went to her coach.

After her victory in Japan Urantsetseg Munkhbat is again the number one of the world, for the third consecutive time at the last ranking of the year.

Majlinda Kelmendi had a great year with the Olympic title and European title in April. Despite her comeback of her injury she won the most important prices and is back at the number one position.

Sumiya Dorjsuren won the World Masters and finished with silver at the Olympic Games and in Paris. She is stable at the leading position U57kg.

Not many judoka won the European title in combination with the Olympic title, but Slovenian Tina Trstenjak did it. She is leading the World Ranking since her 2015 World title with iron hand.

Although the Olympics didn’t bring Kim Polling what she had in mind after losing to the Olympic Champion in the first round, the Dutch powerhouse is still able to win major event such as the World Masters. It kept her in the lead U70kg for the fourth consecutive year.

Kayla Harrison took her second Olympic title. It made her a legend and she retired from judo at the age of 26 going for new challenges in another sport.  She peak where she had to.

Idalys Ortiz was close to another stunt but got bested by Emilie Andeol in Rio. But Ortiz again won five tournaments and regain the world leading position in 2016.