Aaron Wolf selected by AJJF for Olympic Games in Paris

The All Japan Judo Federation has finalized its squad for this summer's Games by selecting Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Aaron Wolf as the 14th judoka. This decision was made following a meeting on Wednesday, February 14, where Wolf's recent victory at the Paris Grand Slam was taken into consideration. This win marked his first international title since the Tokyo 2020 Games in 2021.

The men’s U100kg category was the only remaining vacancy for judo’s homeland, as the federation had already named the 13 other judoka for this year's Olympics. Ultimately, 27-year-old Wolf was chosen over the up-and-coming 19-year-old Arai Dota, who was the runner-up at Grand Slam Tokyo in December. Arai's third-round loss at the Paris Grand Slam, contrasted with Wolf's success, influenced the decision.

Men’s head coach Suzuki Keiji commented on Wolf's performance, stating, “His performances were competitive and consistent. He’s now in a position to defend his title, and I want him to set the bar high as he goes into battle.”

After the last Olympic Games, Wolf experienced a period of fluctuating form, not competing for 15 months. Despite winning the national weight category championships last April, he missed out on medals at Grand Slam Tokyo and faced tough competition for a second Olympic appearance.

During Tokyo 2020, Japan showcased its dominance on home soil by winning nine of the 14 gold medals, along with a pair of silver and bronze medals.

It's important to note that the participation of athletes at the Paris Games depends on their National Olympic Committees selecting them to represent their respective countries at Paris 2024, as NOCs have exclusive authority over the representation of their delegations at the Olympic Games.