Due to the unrest in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Tornike Tsjakadoea, Frank de Wit and Karen Stevenson are not going to Baku. The three North Holland judokas were actually supposed to be in action at the grand slam this weekend, but the judo association has decided not to allow all sixteen Dutch judokas to travel.
Since Tuesday, Azerbaijan’s offensive against the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh has intensified considerably. Although a ceasefire has now been declared, the judo association still considers the situation too risky. Although the area is hundreds of kilometers from Baku, the Dutch judo association chooses to leave judokas and technical/medical staff at home.
“There is no certainty about a safe journey, nor the ability to return as planned after the tournament,” the judo association wrote in a statement. “The JBN then came to this decision, also after consultation with experts from outside its own organization. Sporting ambitions are important, but personal safety always comes first.”
The grand slam in Baku will continue this weekend, but without the Dutch judokas.