Can Nagayama become the successor of Takato in Paris?

The Olympic Games in Paris is around the corner and the race is on. At the 2023 Tokyo Grand Slam, the final of the U60kg category was played out by Naohisa Takato, 4-time world champion and 2021 Olympic champion, and Nagayama, twice world bronze medallist and a junior world champion back in 2015. With only 3 years between them in age, it was not so much a generational switch but a passing of the baton between team mates.

After losing that final, Takato smiled and nodded and extended his hands as a blessing for Nagayama to move forward towards the Games with his full support. It was a special moment.

Nagayama sits at number 3 in the category behind Garrigos (ESP), the current world champion, and Harim Lee (KOR) who was impressive in 2023, winning 5 medals from 9 appearances including a bronze medal at the Worlds in Doha.

Garrigos has the red back patch, the confidence of knowing he’s been the best in the world as both a junior and a senior, two Olympic Games already in the bag and a coach who tailors every aspect of his career in the most bespoke way.

This category is not for the youngsters, with the top three in the world being 29, 26 and 27 respectively. They will arrive in Paris with experience and staying power and to move them out of the runnings will be incredibly difficult.