There was an incredible quantity of hype surrounding the rule adjustments in 2025, however for the world tuning in to the primary cease of the IJF World Judo Tour, the Paris Grand Slam, it was a seamless transition it appeared. New guidelines or not, the judo was nonetheless blinding and there was one shock after one other for the infamous French crowd.
With two Olympic medallists preventing within the -48kg semi finals, there was a lot on supply. First up the gang have been delighted to welcome their sweetheart, Shirine BOUKLI to the centre tatami in opposition to her closing opponent within the 2024 Paris Grand Slam, KOGA Wakana. For Koga nonetheless, she wasn’t capable of rewrite historical past immediately and as soon as once more suffered defeat from an early scoring sumi gaeshi. For Boukli it’ll nonetheless be a Japanese opponent within the closing although, as KONDO Mitsuki managed to maneuver previous Tara BABULFATH because the Swedish ceded three shidos.
The -60kg closing will mirror that of -48kg because the French and Japanese flags will fly for the opponents. The ever-rising star, Romain VALADIER-PICARD (FRA) is making an announcement on this new cycle, vying for his place in LA 2028, and this 12 months defeated Jorre VERSTRAETEN (BEL) in his semi, a powerful and tactical match which sees him in to the ultimate in opposition to Japan’s SEKIMOTO Kenta. Sekimoto might want to settle for one more troublesome Frenchman after narrowly defeating Cedric REVOL, a really low ko soto gake scored the yuko to place him in with an opportunity of gold.
The -52kg class might be an all-Japan battle between OMORI Kisumu and FUJISHIRO Kokoro. The latter was the primary to search out her place, initially scoring yuko in opposition to Sofia ASVESTA (CYP) with morote seoi nage, after which repeating the motion for waza ari earlier than transitioning immediately in to the successful osae komi. On the opposite facet we had Olympic Champion and silver medallist, Distria KRASNIQI (KOS) who likes to compete right here within the Bercy Area. On this event nonetheless she made an error within the opening minute, not shifting with haste from the bottom in opposition to her Japanese opponent Omori, resulting in the osaekomi and directing her to the bronze medal contest in opposition to BISHRELT Khorloodoi (UAE).
Ruslan PASHAYEV (AZE) took on the house favorite, Walide KHYAR within the -66kg semi closing and countered a ko uchi gari with a fantastic sasae tsuri komi ashi, beautiful each his opponent and the Bercy crowd. Yuko scores actually got here in to play within the second -66kg semi closing between Daikii BOUBA (FRA) and present European Champion and Olympic silver medallist, Vazha MARGVELASHVILI (GEO). The latter did properly to even the rating because the seconds ticked away, forcing the competition in to golden rating, however at 1:15 of additional time, Bouba executed sumi gaeshi in opposition to the Georgian star, conserving French hopes of a gold medal alive.
In fact the French success continued in to the -57kg class, with a assured finalist. For Martha FAWAZ (FRA), 2024 was the 12 months all of it started to vary for her. Earlier within the 12 months she broke in to the gold medal place in European Open occasions, and by December, claimed a Grand Slam medal within the residence of judo, Tokyo. At the moment she has an unimaginable likelihood to make that golden break by means of in entrance of a house crowd. After defeating workforce mate, Ophelie VELLOZZI within the semi closing, she might be strolling away with a minimum of a silver medal, however she might want to tackle Timna NELSON LEVY (ISR), who defeated FUCHIDA Megumi (JPN) with nice use of ashi waza and countering. With a house benefit, something is feasible.
Manuel LOMBARDO (ITA) has been chasing a Paris Grand Slam medal for a while, and after factoring in covid, accidents and easily unhealthy luck, he appeared to be on terrific kind within the -73kg class, battling his method to the semi closing in opposition to the 2018 Paris Grand Slam winner, Akil GJAKOVA (KOS). Gjakova additionally stepped on the rostrum in 2023, buying bronze. The pair have a powerful historical past, and it was Gjakova who defeated Lombardo within the Paris Olympic Video games quarter closing. In todays face to face, it was a matter of ready as each seemed robust and have been sizing each other up, each conscious of the hazard. For Lombardo, he waited too lengthy and was on the mistaken finish of a waza ari rating. Nonetheless in with an opportunity to win bronze, he’ll face Maxime GOBERT (FRA). Gjakova could possibly be a second title however Shakhram AHADOV (UZB) might be a steep mountain to climb.
Although the nice Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA) was not ready to compete on this opening occasion in 2025, the French crowd have been given one other likelihood of glory from Manon DEKETER within the -63kg class. In her semi closing with DANNO Megu (JPN), she discovered herself the aggressor and was in management from the get go. When shifting in to ne waza, it was clear Deketer felt assured and labored her manner in to a shime waza win for her place within the closing of the Paris Grand Slam. On the opposite facet of the draw, Japan had higher luck from KAJU Haruka who took the win in opposition to the present World Champion, Joanne VAN LIESHOUT (NED).
Judoka
Creator: Thea Cowen
Share
Tweet
Telegram
WhatsApp
E-Mail
