One. The -73 kg Melting Pot
The first point of note is the robust tier of extremely capable judoka poised to pounce on the rostrum at -73 kg. There’s no telling who will win the gold or any of the four medals, for that matter, as the field is so varied but at the same time universally exciting.
Lombardo’s (ITA) ability is never in question but his consistency is. When he’s on top form he’s unstoppable but that form is never guaranteed. He will be chased by fighters such as Akil Gjakova (KOS), a European and Paris medallist, an Olympian, one who placed 5th in Paris just as the Italian did in both Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2021.
There’s 2012 Olympic champion and 3 time Olympic medallist Lasha Shavdatuashvili (GEO), a 32 year old capable of surprising anyone in the list. How about Mammadaliyev (AZE) who was at one point qualified for Paris but couldn’t go as the ticket belonged to Heydarov, a selection now backed by unshakable merit. Yonezuka (USA), the American ne-waza specialist, Galandarzade (AZE), the junior world number one, Axus (FRA) who was ahead of the French pick for the Games in the world ranking but had to tip Gaba the nod once he won an Olympic silver medal, all want medals and proof that they will be in the mix at the biggest events of the coming months and years. All of them could stand on the rostrum at the Accor Arena Bercy but there isn’t space for so many feet. Let the eliminations begin!
Two. The Return of Casse (BEL) to High Level Competition
He’s been seen at training camps in Belgium and Austria and it was clear he was preparing for something. That something is Paris! 2021 world champion Matthias Casse is still only 27 despite a career that contains every medal there is and feels like that of an impressive veteran. He’s in great shape and at his first event since the Games he will be the number one seed.
Two names below him are more likely than the rest to offer a credible title dispute: Joonhwan Lee (KOR) and Yoshito Hojo (JPN). Lee has two world medals, an Olympic bronze and is afraid of no-one but staggeringly he is still only 22. Hojo has only fought at three IJF World Judo Tour events but he won two of them and likes his chances of a third medal at this level.
Casse won’t be worrying about meeting anyone though. He will do as Casse always does; he will work and train and prepare exactly as any professional should, always the archetypal athlete and judoka, a blueprint for juniors looking for a role model.
Three. Is Mayu Honda ready?
In 2023 Mayu Honda became junior world champion using a devastating set of skills which dismantled her category in Odivelas.
Since then she has competed in several senior events, including the 2023 Tokyo Grand Slam and the Abu Dhabi World Championships last year, but she has no result until Tokyo, just two months ago. There she cleared the field, beating her more experienced teammates along the way, to top the podium at a grand slam for the first time.
It is known that in Tokyo there is no telling which Japanese judoka will win each category. They take most golds but the specific labelling of the different colour medals cannot be done until the last moment, such is the quality of judo on display. At the last edition, Honda took the -70 kg gold and in Paris that win will be under scrutiny.
Honda will have no easy ride with 3-time world medallist Gahie (FRA) fighting on home soil and with 2023 Paris grand slam champion Ai Tsunoda Roustant (ESP) looking to double her grand slam gold tally. However, if Tokyo wasn’t a one-off and if Honda is ready, everyone could be in trouble.
The 2025 Paris Grand Slam is only days away and we are looking forward to the rising fever as the weekend approaches. Share all the action if you’re joining us at the Bercy or follow every fight with all the stats and draws online via JudoTV. Vive le Tournoi!