Asian athletes do not even surprise with 9 titles in Paris

Japan topped the medal table once again in Paris as they won five gold medals, two silver and two bronze ahead of South Korea who shone with three gold and four bronze medals while hosts France won two gold medals, one silver and six bronze. On Sunday Asia added another four gold medals to Saturday's five. Europe doubled two on Sunday and Pan America claimed gold U78kg their strongest category.

Again the Japanese team was incredible strong and just to mention, not all top athletes participated in the Grand Slam. Asia in general was exceptionally strong. Korea took three gold medals, and this time even two women grabbed the title, this gives hope for the Olympic Games where Korea has a strong reputation winning two gold medals by the men in London 2012.

Host Nation France without Teddy Riner won two titles, but it has the potential to win more, but this tournament showed that the competition is severe. Cyrille Maret set the AccorHotels Arena in fire after winning his third consecutive title in Paris U100kg. Some top athletes are stable in their performances such as Georgian Avtandili Tchrikishvili who won gold U81kg. Majlinda Kelmendi didn’t surprise with another gold medal U52kg, a good grade for her form towards Rio. Kazachstan can be proud that not only the men are strong, but also the women have golden potential. Otgotstetseg Galbadrakh captured the title U48 which gives the category another country battling for gold.

Brazil was happy to win a few medals in Paris and as highlight today’s gold medal by Mayra Aguiar. It will increase the popularity of Judo in the host nation of the Olympic Games and on the other hand increase the expectations for the medal hunger. Judo is tremendously popular in Brazil when it comes to Olympic medal expectations. The Paris tournament is seen as a key marker reflected at the following summer’s Olympiad in Rio.

The Grand Slam offers 500 world ranking points for a gold medal which is only second to an invite-only World Masters and World Championships on the IJF World Judo Tour. Every nation and every judoka reserves a special affection for Paris and the ‘Bercy’ setting and the crowd simply loves judo.

In the break Slovenian world champion Tina Trstenjak was chosen by experts, journalists and fans as best female judoka of the year, along with Teddy Riner as the best male judoka. Both received the prize from the hands of Marius Vizer and IJF Hall of Famers Yamashita Yasuhiro  and Jean-Luc Rougé today in Paris.

Yamashita Yasuhiro declared: “This a sign of respect for all those champions who train a lot, the kind of things that you remember at the end of a career. During my time, that did not exist… nevertheless, being designated as the best judoka, I would have loved that! It is well deserved, because I understand that it does not only concern the medals and the titles, which were won by Teddy (Riner) and Tina (Trstenjak), but their engagement and attitude as well. The presentation took place here in Paris, in France, where those values are very important.“

Jean-Luc Rouge, French Judo Federation President said: “It is an honour to award these two champions here in France on the occasion of the Paris Grand Slam and we congratulate them both. Of course we are especially happy that Teddy has been designated with this award for a second year. We wish both judoka well in on their road to Rio 2016.