Sotaro Fujiwara wins Paris for a second time

Japan was tremendously strong at the second day of the Paris Grand Slam and even in the divers weight category U81kg where anything can happen Japan took the honours. In the final it was Japan's Sotaro Fujiwara who grabbed the gold against favourite Tato Grigalashvili. Nothing is easy in this category and when it seems that the most complicated is passed, a new problem appears.

It seemed that Grigalashivli had the initiative, until Fujiwara scored with ippon-seoi-nage. The Georgian responded immediately with his own waza-ari. The final was high-flying, a gem for judo lovers. Fujiwara concluded with a spectacular tani-otoshi prolonging the Japanese rule in Paris. There were already four gold medals and there was much still to see.

Tato Grigalashvili is a premature old man; so young and already so well known, that's what shows the talent. He has not yet won any major title, always staying at the gates, but having just turned 22, the Georgian has a lot of room for progression. He is a judo magician and in Paris he stood in the semi-finals as if he were preparing a coffee in the kitchen of his house. There the Georgian had his first great trial by fire. Sami Chouchi (BEL) has the misfortune of being a compatriot of Matthias Casse. As Casse is the world ranking leader and world champion, Chouchi has less space, but the Belgian usually seizes opportunities. For example, he won the Georgian Grand Slam last year and not just anyone does that, especially since he beat a good friend of his named Tato Grigalashvili. They know each other and like each other, which means a really tough fight, this time reaching the golden score with nerves on edge. Grigalashvili won, but the result could well have been different.

The battle for the bronzes reflected the density of this weight. The Israeli and world champion in 2019 Sagi Muki had to measure forces with Chouchi and the Uzbek Sharofiddin Boltaboev, black beast of some of the best, like Muki, faced the Canadian Francois Gauthier Drapeau. Everything was resolved in golden score. Chouchi finished with waza-ari first, confirming that if Casse isn't around, he usually answers with medals. Boltaboev also won shortly after. In total it was 15 minutes for two fights. Welcome to the U81kg category, just like last year won by Japan and just like in 2018 won by Sotaro Fujiwara.