Cavelius shines but Tato Grigalashvili reigns in Paris

Unseeded German Tim Cavelius had an incredible day in Paris. He took out the Brazilian and then Del Orbe Cortorreal (DOM) before throwing Gauthier-Drapeau (CAN) twice for a place in the semi-final. Hurdling Djalo then put him in the final. The top half of the draw brought top favourite Tato Grigalashvili (GEO) and Vedat Albayrak (TUR) to their rightful places in the first semi-final. Kohara (JPN) had been cited as a possible stumbling block for the Georgian world number 1 but that was not the case.

The final began with the unlikely challenger attacking with tomoe-nage. It was a courageous start, showing that the German had no fear. Tato is known for his feeling in the moment, his ability to twist and turn into or out of the space as needed. 1 minute and 47 seconds in and Cavelius attacked again, this time with a pick-up from around the waist. Tato felt it and adjusted his weight, driving the German into the tatami. It was ippon and a first Paris gold for Tato and also a first Paris medal for the German.

Nugzari Tatalashvili (UAE) and Alpha Djalo (FRA) contested the first bronze medal. It was fast and it was shrouded in an exciting energy but with perhaps a lack of control. Tatalashvili picked up a shido and then there was one each. There were many opportunities for attacks but none capitalised on with conviction, neither wishing to offer the space for the other to highlight a mistake. Eventually the third shido came for the UAE athlete and an emotional Djalo brought a first day 2 medal to the home team.

Francois Gauthier-Drapeau (CAN) and Vadet Albayrak (TUR) fought for the second bronze and it was an all-power match. Either could throw at any moment but at the halfway point it was the Canadian who latched on with an enormous o-soto-gari, scoring ippon and landing a place on the podium.

Cavelius: "I felt very good today," says Timo Cavelius after the competition and is happy that his intensive training is paying off. "I am really fit for once and it shows right away in the results. From that point of view, I am very, very happy and grateful."

Grigalashvili was also announced as Male Judoka of the Year 2022 and he was awarded for the best Moment of the Year 2022 together with his rival Matthias Casse. This award recognises the moments in 2022 that ignited the heart of the judo family, moments not just based on sporting performance but on the values that make our sport so special, said IJF President Marius Vizer.