Japanese judo youngsters rocking at Paris Grand Slam debut

Making a debut at the Grand Slam in Paris isn’t easy, but it doesn’t mean those debutants won’t have a chance. Some of the finest and youngest artwork in judo will enter the new arena this weekend. Check out some of the young Japanese stars.

Abe Hifumi (JPN)

Age: 19

Weight category: -66kg

Best results: Tokyo Grand Slam winner (2014 & 2016), Nanjing 2014 YOG winner

Boy wonder Abe Hifumi (JPN) is already the most famous teenage athlete in Japan as one of the faces of his country’s Tokyo 2020 promotions. The two-time Grand Slam winner has deliberately been held back by Japanese head coach Inoue Kosei, who has been loyal to his veteran judoka and patient with this 2020 generation waiting anxiously to be released onto the IJF World Judo Tour. World number six Abe starts as one of the favourites in France and will surely earn selection for his first World Championships if he can medal in Paris in his first attempt.

Nagayama Ryuju (JPN)

Age: 20

Weight category: -60kg

Best results: Tokyo Grand Slam winner (2016), Junior World champion (2015)

In December, Tokai University member Nagayama Ryuju (JPN) won his home's major event, the Tokyo Grand Slam, in his first attempt when he upstaged teammate and former world champion Takato Naohisa (JPN), who looks set to be his competition for the -60kg spot for Tokyo 2020. Junior World Championships winner Nagayama, 20, is unseeded in Paris and is, therefore, the most dangerous judoka in the category as a potential spoiler for major names, including Takato.  

Iida Kentaro (JPN)

Age: 18

Weight category: -100kg

Best results: Tokyo Grand Slam bronze (2016)

Unknown Iida Kentaro (JPN) won the Tokyo Grand Slam bronze on his IJF World Judo Tour debut in December. the 18-year-old has been rewarded with a Paris debut as he targets back-to-back Grand Slam medals. Iida, who has been touted in domestic circles as an heir to his head coach and all-time great Inoue Kosei, only lost to eventual winner Kirill Denisov (RUS) – one of the most physical and experienced judoka in the game – in Tokyo and that was by just a single shido. A new environment and the pressure and intensity of the Paris Grand Slam will be the most challenging step of Iida’s young career, but there should not be any raised eyebrows if he is in medal contention on Sunday evening.

Asahina Sarah (JPN)

Age: 20

Weight category: +78kg

Best results: Tokyo Grand Slam winner (2016), Junior World champion (2014)

Former Junior World Championships winner Asahina Sarah (JPN) started judo at the Kodokan and is now a member of Tokai University. Asahina, a keen swimmer and water polo player, will be supported by her parents who are travelling in on Friday to watch the IJF season opener. The 20-year-old judoka, who is in pole position for 2020, albeit at this early stage, has won all three colours of Grand Slam medals available and most recently won her country’s Grand Slam in 2016.