The first of three Grand Slams to highlight the month of March
The Paris Olympic Games is fast approaching meaning that every qualification point that is left on the table at this point matters. With 495 judoka entered, representing 68 nations, the Tashkent Grand Slam in Uzbekistan was not short of star talent
Over this past weekend, we saw former champions already in prime position for the Olympic Games in attendance as competitors looked to fine tune their game. Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA) made it known her focus was to fine tune her newaza as well as her plans to close out the year in a historic repeat of the Olympic and world titles she won in 2021.
Throughout the years, not many judoka can say they have been as consistent as -81kg Matthias Casse (BEL). Already in a comfortable position for the Paris Olympic Games, Casse is using these Grand Slams to innovate his judo. Looking for new techniques to add to his repertoire and finding new ways to win to remain unpredictable. All to help avoid making mistakes when it matters the most.
2024 Paris Grand Slam Medal Count
- France - 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
- Japan - 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 6 Bronze
- Uzbekistan - 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 3 Bronze
- Italy - 1 Gold, 2 Bronze
Mens Divisions
-60kg
- Doston Ruziev (UZB)
- Giorgi Sardalashvili (GEO)
- Salih Yildiz (TUR)
- Romain Valadier Picard (FRA)
-66kg
- Nurali Emomali (TJK)
- Baruch Shmailov (ISR)
- Murad Chopanov (AIN)
- Willian Lima (BRA)
-73kg
- Manuel Lombardo (ITA)
- Danil Lavrentev (AIN)
- Shakhram Akhadov (UZB)
- Obidkhon Nomanov (UZB)
-81kg
- Matthias Casse (BEL)
- Shamil Borchashvili (AUT)
- Mykhailo Svidrak (UKR)
- Taknori Nagase (JPN)
-90kg
- Theodoros Tselidis (GRE)
- Ivaylo Ivanov (BUL)
- Christian Parlati (ITA)
- Davlat Bobonov (UZB)
-100kg
- Muzaffarbek Turoboyev (UZB)
- Matvey Kanikovskiy (AIN)
- Dota Arai (JPN)
- Piotr Kuczera (POL)
+100kg
- Hyoha Ota (JPN)
- Tamerlan Bashaev (AIN)
- Kokoro Kageura (JPN)
- Inal Tasoev (AIN)
Women's Divisions
-48kg
- Sabina Giliazova (AIN)
- Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ)
- Tara Babulfath (SWE)
- Tugce Beder (TUR)
-52kg
- Amandine Buchard (FRA)
- Gulkhayo Juraeva (UZB)
- Sosorbaram Lkhagvasuren (MGL)
- Chelsie Giles (GBR)
-57kg
- Priscilla Gneto (FRA)
- Haruka Funakubo (JPN)
- Pauline Starke (GER)
- Arleta Podolak (POL)
-63kg
- Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA)
- Momo Tatsukawa (JPN)
- Nami Nabekura (JPN)
- Andreja Leski (SLO)
-70kg
- Miriam Butkereit (GER)
- Margaux Pinot (FRA)
- Saki Niizoe (JPN)
- Margit De Voogd (NED)
-78kg
- Rika Takayam (JPN)
- Fanny Estelle (FRA)
- Anna-Maria Wagner (GER)
- Alice Bellandi (ITA)]
+78kg
- Xin Su (CHN)
- Ruri Takajasjo (JPN)
- Maya Segawa (JPN)
- Elis Startseva (AIN)
With the Paris Olympic Games looming over the head of every judoka on the World Tour, the remaining events on the books (6 events, not including this past weekend) are important for all competitors.
Whether they are looking to grab the final qualification points left on the table or fine tune their games ahead of the Olympic Games, everyday moving forward matters more and more.
