Stunning field U57kg in Paris
One of the most spectacular weightclasses at the Grand Slam in Paris will be the U57kg division. On Friday the event will include three world champions: Christa Deguchi, Jessica Klimkait and Rafaela Silva as well as two Olympic champions Nora Gjakova and again Silva. They are spread evenly through the 4 quarters of the draw and in theory could be the four semi-finalists at the end of the preliminary block. However, we haven’t yet mentioned the big names punctuating the rest of the group and the list includes world and Olympic medallists in spades.
The 2023 Qazaqstan Barysy Grand Slam final between 2021 Olympic champion Gjakova and 2021 Olympic silver medallist Cysique, who is perhaps one of the greatest favourites fighting in Paris. We wouldn't want to wipe her out for the title on Friday.
Summary: Tamaoki (JPN) won silver at the 2021 worlds, Smythe-Davis (GBR) took world medals in 2017 and 2018. Cysique (FRA) is a current Olympic silver medallist. Gneto took Olympic bronze in London in 2012.
With 8 world and or Olympic medallists present, it is a category of crazy quality and the 4 we mentioned first may not find it so easy to reach the podium.
Result | City | Date |
---|---|---|
2 | Paris | 30 Jul |
1 | Abu Dhabi | 21 May |
1 | Zagreb | 26 Apr |
3 | Belgrade | 2023 |
2 | Montpellier | 2023 |