Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
First tournament, first title. Anna-Maria WAGNER’s (GER) start to the Olympic year could not have been any better. The 2021 World Champion’s joy after winning the Grand Slam Paris for the first time was evident. Laying down the performance on-point on the mat is amazing! It’s also a confirmation that…
4 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
The third and final day of the Paris Grand Slam 2024 was full of surprises and buckets of entertainment for the crowd, not only from the competition but also from the Judo for Children programme, debuting a Heroes versus Legends Mixed Team event. Following the excitement, it was time to…
4 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
Mihael ZGANK (TUR) is one of the most consistent athletes of the -90kg categories and so far this year, this most successful. Following an incredible gold medal win in the Portugal Grand Prix last week, Zgank celebrated his birthday this week by watching his weight whilst preparing for the most…
4 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
On the minds of many, are Paris Olympic Games qualifications, especially today with so many close rivalries, whether it be in France, Germany, Canada, Brazil, Türkiye, Netherlands or Great Britain. As far as home conception goes, the -78kg women were drawing great attention, especially between Madeleine MALONGA and Audrey TCHEUMEO…
4 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
Now usually we would never refer to an athlete as ‘old’, but in this case we can certainly make an exception! In an iconic battle, some of the best athletes in the world mixed with children to create the ‘Heroes’ and ‘Legends’ teams on day three of the Paris Grand…
4 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
“It was an almost perfect day,” grins Miriam BUTKEREIT (GER/-70), beaming all over her face. “Yesterday I still had a sore throat and was worried that I might fall ill. But today everything was normal, it felt like it always does. I quickly found my rhythm. What’s more, there are…
3 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA) continues to set one record after the other after her baby break. The 31-year-old is a 2-time Olympic champion (and silver medallist), 6-time world champion and now also a 7-time Paris record winner (together with compatriot Lucie Decosse and team-mate Teddy Riner). The young mum (daughter Athéna…
3 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
Exactly 175 days to go… Patrice ROGNON is one of the most sought-after Frenchmen at this Grand Slam event in Paris-Bercy. The 57-year-old is responsible – on the organiser’s side – for the 2024 Olympic judo tournament in Paris. Rognon has a team of over 140 people (20 full-time staff…
3 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
Matthias CASSE (BEL) looked exhausted and his face was marked by a few scratches. But the 26-year-old’s satisfaction at his second Paris Grand Slam success since 2020 was clear to see. Right after the awards ceremony, the world number one (-81 kg) was ready for a short interview. How satisfied…
3 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
It certainly wasn’t plain sailing for the already 6-time Paris Grand Slam winner, Clarisse AGBEGNENOU of France, who was in search of her seventh title to match that of Lucie DECOSSE, a Bercy favourite. Only once had she met surprise final opponent, Katarina KRISTO (CRO) before today, and it was…
3 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
Junior European Champion 2021 and Dushanbe Grand Prix gold medallist, Katarina KRISTO of Croatia, came in to the Paris Grand Slam with a world ranking position of #33, perhaps not someone you’d peg for the final. However she proved all the naysayers wrong and battled her way incredibly to take…
3 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
As always, we love a surprise and with every great tournament, there are some younger athletes breaking through to make a name for themselves and claim glory on this big stage. Alongside these challengers, we have the original gladiators, the top seeds and defending champions. The Paris Grand Slam attracts…
3 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
On the second day of the Paris Grand Slam 2024, Anna BERNHOLM of Sweden competed for the final time on the IJF World Judo Tour. The decision to retire on arguably the grandest stage was made mid December, I was undecided whether or not to compete one more time or…
3 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
The European Judo Union President, Dr TOTH Laszlo, wears many hats. Not only does he captain the EJU, but is President of the Hungarian Judo Association and Vice President of the International Judo Federation. Above all however, President Toth is a judoka through and through, and as most in the…
3 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
It was not necessarily to be expected that host nation France would be the clear leader after the first day with three gold medals and one bronze. Shirine BOUKLI (-52) and Luka MKHEIDZE (-60) had won European Championships gold medals in front of a home crowd in Montpellier in November.…
2 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
Opening the final block on day one of the Paris Grand Slam 2024 were the -48kg athletes. Quickly, Europe were able to celebrate wins from both Laura MARTINEZ ABELENDA (ESP) and Assunta SCUTTO (ITA), but the fate of the gold medal was left to the current Olympic Champion and France’s…
2 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
Shirine BOUKLI (FRA) and compatriot Luka MKHEIDZE stood just a few metres apart from each other and gave interviews with broad grins. The roar of the crowd in the interview zone was very muted. Nevertheless, the euphoria was palpable. For both of them, it was their first home Grand Slam…
2 February 2024Paris Grand Slam 2024 - Paris, France
“I love Bercy, I love this place, the atmosphere in the hall. This Grand Slam is really special. And I always fight really strong here,” beamed a visibly satisfied Distria KRASNIQI (KOS/-52) after her third Grand Slam success in Paris-Bercy. The world number one has stood on the podium in…
2 February 2024
Paris Grand Slam 2024