The second day of the Paris Grand Slam 2022 began with a special celebration as International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer presented Saudi Judo Federation President Abdulaziz Albassam with the Jigoro Kano statue in recognition of the 2022 Judo for Peace Award .
Meanwhile, a thrilling finale in the under 81 kg class awaited spectators at the AccorHotels Arena.
In an incredible back and forth between two incredibly talented fighters, Fujiwara Sotaro of Japan reigned and defeated the fierce Tato Grigalashvili of Georgia.
His Excellency Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, was present to present the medals.
Weighing less than 70kg, Margaux Pinot of France defeated Japan’s Niizoe Saki to claim her first Grand Slam gold in front of an enthusiastic French crowd.
Her medal was presented to her by Roxana Mărăcineanu, the French Minister of Sport.
At less than 90kg, it would be Japan’s Murao Sanshiro who would take gold, achieving osoto-gari against Azerbaijan’s Mammadali Mehdiyev.
IJF guest Patrick Bahadourian presented the medals.
The Japan-France rivalry flared up again in the under 78kg final as Audrey Tcheumeo of France triumphed over Umeki Mami of Japan to give her a 5th Paris Grand Slam title.
The medals were awarded by former French Prime Minister Jean Pierre Raffarin
“It was really a rollercoaster ride, my feelings went up and down,” Tcheumeo said after her win. Happiness, disappointment, surprise, all kinds. And it was really difficult to deal with, but I made it to the end. And in the end I won, and that’s the most important thing.”
It was a battle of current and former European under 100kg champions, with Toma Nikiforov of Belgium emerging victorious, defeating Peter Paltchik of Israel on a gold score.
He was awarded the gold medal by Pascal Raffy, owner and manager of Bovet.
“Judo is a really difficult sport,” Nikiforov explained afterwards. “We train a lot, there are a lot of competitions, so we train together. When I fight him outside of competitions, he makes me stronger, but I also make him stronger. I think that’s the difference between judo and other sports. I don’t think Nadal and Federer play together outside of Grand Slams. So that is the big difference between judo and the other sports.”
In the 78kg+, Japan retaliated as Tomita Wakaba defeated home favorites Romane Dicko in the final.
IFJ General Secretary Jean Luc Rouge presented the medals.
The 100kg+ ended the competition with another thrilling finale, with Tsetsentsengel Odkhuu of Mongolia doing the clinical groundwork to take gold.
IJF guest Alexander Baev received the last gold of the tournament.
Another fantastic end to another fantastic tournament.
