Judo Grand Slam Ulaanbaatar Preview: Murail’s Silver Medalist Push for Dominance in 90kg Category
Paris Olympic silver medalist Sanaro Murail will seek redemption at the Judo Grand Slam Ulaanbaatar (September 19-21), where he’ll face a stacked 90kg field including reigning world champion Lasha Bekauri. The tournament, held at the Ulaanbaatar Sports Palace, marks Murail’s first major competition since his Olympic silver and offers a critical test for Japan’s 2025 world title ambitions.
Why This Tournament Matters for Murail and Japan’s 90kg Dominance
Murail’s Olympic silver—lost in the final to Georgia’s Lasha Bekauri—left him as Japan’s top-ranked 90kg judoka. The Grand Slam Ulaanbaatar serves as a crucial benchmark: a podium finish here would signal his readiness for the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, where Japan aims to reclaim the team title after finishing fourth in Paris.
According to the International Judo Federation (IJF), the 90kg category at Ulaanbaatar features five athletes ranked in the top 10 globally, including:
- Lasha Bekauri (Georgia) – #1, reigning world and European champion
- Sanaro Murail (Japan) – #2, Paris Olympic silver medalist
- Guram Tushishvili (Georgia) – #3, 2023 world bronze medalist
- Mikhail Igolnikov (ROC) – #4, 2023 world silver medalist
- Tamerlan Bashaev (ROC) – #5, 2023 European bronze medalist
For context, Georgia has won six of the last eight world titles in this weight class, while Japan’s last podium came in 2019 (a bronze by Lasha Shavdatuashvili). Murail’s ability to challenge Bekauri’s dominance will determine whether Japan can regain its historic influence in the category.
Key Storylines: What to Watch in Ulaanbaatar
1. Murail vs. Bekauri: A Rematch of Olympic Finalists
The most anticipated matchup will be Murail’s potential clash with Bekauri, who defeated him 1-0 in the Paris Olympic final. Their styles contrast sharply: Murail relies on precise kumi-kata (grip fighting) and explosive uchi-mata (inner thigh throws), while Bekauri uses relentless ne-waza (groundwork) to wear opponents down.
In their Olympic final, Bekauri scored with a ko-uchi-gari (major outer reap) and held osaekomi (pin) for 20 seconds. Murail, who trains at the Kodokan under legendary coach Masahiko Tomita, has since refined his ne-waza defense—a weakness Bekauri exploited in Paris.
2. Georgia’s 90kg Dynasty Under Pressure
Georgia has dominated the 90kg category for a decade, with Bekauri and Tushishvili forming a near-impenetrable duo. However, both face challenges:
- Bekauri’s stamina: At 28, he’s entering his prime but has shown signs of fatigue in recent tournaments, including a quarterfinal loss at the 2024 European Championships.
- Tushishvili’s inconsistency: The 2023 world bronze medalist has struggled with tachi-waza (standing techniques) against taller opponents, a potential vulnerability against Murail’s 1.93m frame.
If Murail can force Bekauri into a decision match, it could signal a shift in the category’s power balance.
3. Japan’s Depth Challenge: Who Backs Up Murail?
Japan’s 90kg depth is thin. Beyond Murail, only JudoInJapan.org lists two other active athletes in the category, neither ranked in the top 50. This raises questions about Japan’s ability to sustain podium finishes beyond Murail.
Coach Tomita has emphasized “judo no kata”* (formal techniques) as Murail’s training focus, but whether this translates to tournament success against Bekauri’s aggressive style remains untested.
Tournament Format and How to Follow
The Grand Slam Ulaanbaatar follows the standard IJF rules:
- Pool play: Athletes compete in groups of five, with the top two advancing to semifinals.
- Finals: Single-elimination from quarterfinals onward.
- Time format: 4 minutes per match (2 minutes per period), with sudden death if scores are tied.
- Scoring: Ippon (1), waza-ari (½), shido (warning), hansoku-make (disqualification).
Key dates and times (UTC+8):
- September 19: Pool play (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
- September 20: Quarterfinals (10:00 AM), Semifinals (2:00 PM)
- September 21: Bronze medal matches (10:00 AM), Final (2:00 PM)
Live streaming will be available via IJF’s official channel, with English commentary provided by the federation.
What’s Next for Murail and the 90kg Category?
Beyond Ulaanbaatar, Murail’s path to Tokyo 2025 is clear:
- September 26-29: Grand Slam Abu Dhabi – A stronger field with Bekauri and Igolnikov likely to compete.
- October 3-6: Grand Slam Paris – Hosted at the same venue as the 2024 Olympics, offering a home-court advantage.
- November 14-17: World Judo Championships (Abu Dhabi) – The first true title opportunity.
If Murail wins Ulaanbaatar, he’ll enter the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam as the favorite to challenge Bekauri’s reign. However, his ne-waza defense must improve to avoid another Olympic final repeat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the Grand Slam scoring system work?
A: The IJF uses a point-based system where an ippon (full point) ends the match immediately. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, a sudden-death period (golden score) determines the winner. Waza-ari (half-point) requires two to win, while shido warnings can lead to disqualification if accumulated.
Q: What are Murail’s biggest weaknesses?
A: According to his coach, Masahiko Tomita, Murail’s ne-waza (groundwork) defense is his primary vulnerability. In Paris, Bekauri exploited this with a 20-second pin. Murail has since added juji-gatame (arm triangle) counterattacks to his repertoire.
Q: Can Japan win the 2025 World Team Title without Murail?
A: Unlikely. Japan’s current 90kg lineup lacks depth, and Murail is the only athlete in the top 10. The team’s 2025 prospects hinge on his ability to consistently challenge Bekauri and Tushishvili.
How to Watch and Engage
Follow the action live via the IJF’s official stream or on social media using #JudoGSUlaanbaatar. For updates on Murail’s preparation, check JudoInJapan.org.
What do you think: Can Murail dethrone Bekauri in Ulaanbaatar? Share your predictions in the comments below.
