Fourth Paris Grand Slam is Paris for Clarisse Agbegnenou

French World champion Clarisse Agbegnenou ruled at her home Grand Slam for the fourth time to provide the hosts with a dream ending to the first day of competition in Paris. Agbegnenou, 25, who has long been one of the most consistent judoka in the sport, dominated Tokyo Grand Slam winner and World Judo Masters winner Tashiro Miku (JPN) who had won their last meeting in December.

French favourite Agbegnenou extended her head-to-head lead over her Japanese adversary to 7:1 as the chants of ‘Clarisse, Clarisse’ echoed around the atmospheric Bercy. Title number four for the Olympic silver medallist came by ippon with 74 seconds left on the clock and the hosts’ first gold medallist at the first Grand Slam of the season raised both of her hands to encourage the home crowd to raise their levels and they responded with a mutual appreciation and affection to conclude day one with home delight.

In the first semi-final Tashiro outlasted Olympic champion Tina Trstenjak (SLO) in golden score to defeat the owner of the gold backpatch by ippon in the third minute of golden score. In the second semi-final Agbegnenou powered past European Games winner Martyna Trajdos (GER) by ippon with a osoto-gari.

In the first bronze medal contest Trajdos emerged triumphant after Abu Dhabi Grand Slam silver medallist Lucy Renshall (GBR) was penalised for the third and final time for passivity in golden score to miss out on a place on the medal podium.

The second bronze medal contest saw Trstenjak book a place on the podium at the expense of World Judo Masters silver medallist Nabekura Nami (JPN) who received her third shido for passivity in golden score to receive hansoku-make.