Tachimoto Megumi sets new records in Paris

The Paris tournament is now in its 45th year and has been a flagship IJF Grand Slam since 2009, is one of the finest tournaments in judo. It has the best crowd, the best field and generates the most records. Also today when Tachimoto Megumi entered the Arena for another record capturing her fourth Grand Slam victory in Paris, only Teddy Riner has one more (2009-2013).

Several athletes were awaited in the final of the last female category of the tournament such as the current World Champion, Yu Song, or current Olympic Champion Idalys Ortiz (CUB), but it was Tachimoto Megumi (JPN) and Ma Sisi (CHN) who finally qualified for the last fight. After two minutes, the only element written on the scoreboard was a yellow card indicating a shido for Ma for passivity. The Chinese was again penalised before the end of the fight and therefore the victory went to Tachimoto Megumi. With this 14th Grand Slam medal, the Japanese established a new record of Grand Slam medals. 

In the first semi-final Pan American Championships silver medallist Rochele Nunes (BRA) was second best against Tachimoto Megumi (JPN) who won by a yuko score while in the second semi-final Ulaanbaatar Grand Prix bronze medallist Marine Erb (FRA) was swiftly beaten by Ma after 73 seconds.

The first bronze medal was claimed by 21-year-old Erb who rose to the occasion as she was able to step onto a Grand Slam podium for the first time at the expense of the more favoured Jeju Grand Prix bronze medallist Kim Min-Jeong (KOR). Both judoka were penalised with a shido for negative gripping before Kim received a second shido and the scoreless contest was settled as Erb gave a courageous performance which was celebrated by the French crowd.                            

The second bronze medal contest was won by Abu Dhabi Grand Slam silver medallist Tessie Savelkouls (NED) as Nunes could not compete due to an injury.