Canadian showdown between Christa Deguchi and Jessica Klimkait in Mongolia

The Judo Grand Slam Finals in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, will witness a day filled with intense battles such as the women’s U57kg weight class. The final will be a Canadian showdown between Christa Deguchi and Jessica Klimkait, both the top in the World Ranking. The battle between these talented teammates will be intense again with the world champion in the lead in head2 heads but Klimkait is the one who won last battle.

Remarkable is the comeback of Telma Monteiro who will fight Mimi Huh for bronze in this category. Monteiro can improve her record as second oldest female to win a medal in a Grand Slam at the age of 37. The record is owned by Joana Ramos, aged 39 in Tbilisi in 2021. Monteiro’s previous medal was in November last year when she was 36.

The U52kg women's final can be thrilling clash between Israel's Gefen Primo and France's Amandine Buchard the former number one of the world and quadruple world championships medallist. So far it’s 5-0 in head to heads for Buchard against Primo. The two Mongolian participants will be fighting for bronze. Reka Pupp vs Sosorbaram Lkhagvasuren and Khorloodoi Bishrelt vs Diyora Keldiyorova but Bishrelt is fighting for the UAE and is a former Mongolian. Last year Keldiyorova won the gold medal.

The U48kg women's final will show Japan's Hikari Yoshioka, the Junior World Champion of last year against Sabina Giliazova (AIN). They have not met before in the IJF World Tour. Catarina Costa (POR) is back for a chance for bronze against Galiya Tynbayeva (KAZ) and Israel will have it’s own bronze medal match between Tamar Malca and the more experienced Shira Rishony.

In the highly anticipated U60kg men's final, Japan's Ryuju Nagayama will face off against France's Romain Valadier Picard who is on good form and won the Grand prix in Linz end of May.  Nagayama will ultimately defend his title of last year and can collect his tenth Grand Slam victory. Valadier Picard  has only fought Japanese opponents in his Junior period. Sumiyabazar Enkhtaivan (MGL) will fight for bronze.

The U66kg men's final featured Mongolia's own Baskhuu Yondonperenlei, who is the top favourite against Tajikistan's Obid Dzhebov. The home crowd will erupt with excitement when Yondonperenlei will enter the Arena. Last year she took a bronze medal, this year he can win it for the first time. Dzhebov however is the winner of the Grand Prix in Dushanbe in June and will be in shape to fight Yondonperenlei. Two other Mongolians will be fighting for the bronze medal; Narmandakh Bayanmunkh and Erkhembayar Battogtokh.