The final between Francois Gauthier Drapeau (CAN) and 34-year old Nugzari Tatalashvili (UAE) began at a pace, both men immediately on the hunt for the dominant grip. They tussled at an impressive speed throughout, neither willing to give the other even a centimtre of space but a little before the end of normal time, Gauthier Drapeau found a tiny gap and came underneath Tatalashvili with a powerful uchi-mata to score a waza-ari. He held it to the bell and became the 2025 Paris champion at -81 kg.
The first bronze medal contest was fought between 2021 world champion Matthias Casse (BEL) and home favourite Arnaud Aregba (FRA). Inside the first minute Casse showed his intention coming close to a score with a lightning fast seoi-otoshi. Utilising the new rules, Aregba was able to spin out of a scorable landing position but Casse continued to lead until the halfway point when the frenchman found his way into some more positive attacks.
With just over a minute to go Aregba attacked with a huge uchi-mata, avoided by Casse but only just. The scoreboard registered two penalties for Casse and one for Aregba, for small infringements not indicative of the pace and excellence on display. Full time arrived quickly and the whole arena was excited for more.
Aregba’s powerful top grip and Casse’s fast tomoe-nage pushed each of them to their limits, each anticipating the other’s movements excellently. With just over two minutes al electric extra time already gone, Casse attacked with a very low tai-otoshi but Aregba avoided it. However as he moved away, Casse went back underneath him with a seoi-otoshi and registered a waza-ari and a look of relief! This is Matthias Casse’s 12th grand slam medal.
The second bronze medal went to Omar Rajabli (AZE) as his opponent Yoshito hojo (JPN) was unable to compete.
Final (-81 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-81 kg)
