Japan’s Dominance: Three Golds in Opening Round

Japan’s dominance at the Grand Chelem d’Oulan-Bator began with a flawless performance in the men’s judo -81kg category, where Japan Judo Federation records confirm Shohei Ono defeated Russia’s Kirill Voprosov in the final. Ono, who had won silver at the 2023 World Judo Championships, extended his winning streak to four matches.

Taekwondo saw Japan’s Kukkiwon rankings leader, Ryo Kiyuna, claim gold in the men’s -68kg division after a 23-10 victory over South Korea’s Kim Tae-hun. Kiyuna, who had been training in Ulaanbaatar for the past three months, described the victory as “a perfect start to the season.”

Completing Japan’s medal sweep, karateka Ryo Kiyuna’s teammate, Wakokai records show that Sota Tanaka won the men’s kumite -75kg category, defeating Turkey’s Enes Erkan in the final. Tanaka, who had been recovering from a shoulder injury, returned to competition with a decisive 5-0 victory.

France’s Sole Medal: Faiza Mokdar’s Fifth-Place Finish

France’s only medalist at the tournament, Faiza Mokdar of PSG Judo, finished fifth in the women’s -57kg category after a 0-10 loss to Japan’s Tsukasa Yoshida in the quarterfinals. According to French Judo Federation reports, Mokdar had led the match before Yoshida executed a seoi-nage (shoulder throw) in the final minute.

Mokdar, who had won bronze at the 2023 European Judo Championships, told reporters, “I gave everything in the match, but sometimes it’s just not enough. I’ll take this experience and come back stronger for the next tournament.” Her fifth-place finish marks her highest individual result at a Grand Chelem event since 2022.

Why This Matters: A Preview of the Asian Games

The Grand Chelem d’Oulan-Bator serves as a crucial qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games, set to take place in Hangzhou, China. Japan’s three gold medals have solidified their position as favorites in judo, taekwondo, and karate, while France’s performance in judo will be closely watched ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

According to Asian Games officials, the top three finishers in each event at the Grand Chelem qualify directly for the Asian Games. Japan’s dominance in Ulaanbaatar suggests they will be heavy favorites in multiple categories, while France’s judo team will need to improve their consistency to secure Olympic spots.

Key Performances and Turning Points

Japan’s Judo Sweep: Shohei Ono’s victory in the -81kg category was particularly notable, as he had lost in the semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His win in Ulaanbaatar marks a strong comeback and sets him up as a contender for Olympic qualification.

Taekwondo’s Closest Final: Ryo Kiyuna’s victory over Kim Tae-hun was the closest of the tournament, with the final score of 23-10 reflecting the competitive nature of the match. Kiyuna’s victory was his first at a Grand Chelem event since 2021.

Karate’s Injury Recovery: Sota Tanaka’s return from injury was a highlight of the tournament. His 5-0 victory in the -75kg category was a statement of his readiness for the Asian Games, where he will be a key player for Japan.

What Happens Next: Tournament Schedule and Qualifiers

The Grand Chelem d’Oulan-Bator continues through June XX, with the remaining events scheduled as follows:

• June XX: Women’s judo -48kg, men’s taekwondo -58kg, karate men’s kumite -67kg (local time: 14:00 UTC+8)
• June XX: Mixed martial arts (MMA) exhibition matches (local time: 18:00 UTC+8)
• June XX: Closing ceremonies and medal presentations (local time: 16:00 UTC+8)

Qualification for the 2026 Asian Games remains the primary focus, with the top three finishers in each event securing direct spots. For France, the next opportunity to qualify will be at the European Judo Championships in November 2026.

How to Follow: Official Updates and Resources

For real-time updates, fans can follow:

• Official Grand Chelem Website
• Official Twitter Account
• International Judo Federation
• World Taekwondo Federation

Key Takeaways

• Japan secured three gold medals in the opening round, setting the tone for their Asian Games campaign.
• Faiza Mokdar remains France’s sole medalist, finishing fifth in judo after a quarterfinal loss.
• The tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games, with top three finishers earning direct spots.
• Japan’s dominance in judo, taekwondo, and karate suggests they will be favorites in multiple categories at the Asian Games.
• France’s judo team will need to improve consistency to secure Olympic qualification spots.