When the doors of the Accor Arena open and the queue begins to shuffle forward, there is a burgeoning quiet on the field of play. It’s expectant and exciting, an empty space waiting to be filled with the cheers and hopes of spectators, athlete families and judo fans who have travelled thousands of miles to be part of the best judo event of the annual calendar.
In the warm-up room, the sound is different. The constant swish of feet on the tatami, concise details from coaches, the greetings, deep breaths, all bound together by a nervous tension that everyone understands.
The warm-up.
As the first judoka arrive at judogi control, we know that the Paris Grand Slam will be up to full speed almost immediately, just a few seats left to fill. The volume rises fast and within a few minutes, everyone is absorbed in the wonder of the Paris Grand Slam, the familiar energy, the lights, the stream of photographers. It’s underway and we love it!