The 2025 World Judo Tour commenced with a flourish at the prestigious Paris Grand Slam, capitalizing on the lingering excitement from the 2024 Olympics and showcasing the sport at its peak. The grand opening ceremony, steeped in tradition and spectacle, featured French judo legends amidst a sea of enthusiastic fans eager to cheer on their national heroes. IJF President Marius Vizer delivered the opening address, setting the stage for a weekend of high-stakes competition and remarkable sporting achievement. The event served as a powerful testament to the enduring appeal of judo and its ability to captivate audiences worldwide.
The first day of competition witnessed a series of thrilling contests across various weight categories. In the women’s -48kg division, Japan’s Mitsuki Kondo secured victory against the crowd favorite, Shirine Boukli of France, demonstrating superior groundwork skills to clinch the win during the Golden Score period. France’s Minister of Sports, Youth & Community Life, Marie Barsacq, presented the medals. The men’s -60kg category saw a momentous victory for local hero Romain Valadier Picard, who claimed his first Grand Slam gold medal on home soil. His impressive display of technique, including an ouchi-gari and a decisive seoi-otoshi, ignited the Parisian crowd and solidified his position as a rising star. Former ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti awarded the medals.
The women’s -52kg category featured an all-Japanese final, with Omori Kisumi emerging victorious against her compatriot due to penalties accrued by her opponent. This victory marked Kisumi’s third Grand Slam gold medal, a testament to her consistent dominance in the division. ASOIF President and IOC Member Ingmar De Vos presided over the medal ceremony. In the men’s -66kg category, Azerbaijan’s Ruslan Pashayev upset the favored Daikii Bouba, securing the gold medal with a well-executed yuko. World Athletics President and IOC Member Lord Sebastian Coe presented the medals.
The women’s -57kg division saw a triumphant performance by Martha Fawaz, who captured her first World Judo Tour gold medal in front of her home crowd. Her emphatic ippon victory resonated throughout the arena, eliciting a roar of approval from the Parisian fans. FIG President and IOC Member Morinari Watanabe bestowed the gold medal upon Fawaz. In the men’s -73kg category, Shakhram Ahadov edged out Kosovo’s Gjakova in a closely contested match decided by penalties. Minister of the Prime-Minister’s Office of Hungary Gergely Gulyás awarded the medals.
The women’s -63kg final showcased a hard-fought battle between Japan’s Haruka Kaju and French favorite Manon Deketer. Kaju ultimately prevailed, adding another gold medal to Japan’s impressive tally. World Triathlon President Antonio Arimany presented the final gold medal of the day. Throughout the day, local French judokas electrified the crowd with spectacular ippons, exemplifying the spirit and dynamism of the sport.
The Paris Grand Slam, held in the wake of the 2024 Olympics, successfully leveraged the heightened interest in judo, attracting a passionate audience and showcasing the sport’s global appeal. The event underscored the dedication, skill, and athleticism of the judokas, with thrilling contests that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The first day of competition set a high bar for the remainder of the tournament, promising even more excitement and unforgettable moments in the days to come. The performances of the French athletes, in particular, injected a sense of national pride and inspired the home crowd, furthering the legacy of judo in France. The prestigious event served as a platform for both established champions and rising stars to demonstrate their prowess, solidifying the Paris Grand Slam as a premier event on the World Judo Tour.
