Paris Grand Slam 2026: A Spectacular Display of World-Class Judo

The Paris Grand Slam 2026 has concluded with an unforgettable weekend of world-class judo at the AccorHotels Arena. Athletes from over 100 countries gathered to compete in one of the most prestigious events on the IJF World Tour calendar.

Day One Highlights

The opening day saw remarkable performances across all weight categories. The home crowd was treated to exceptional displays of technical judo, with several French athletes advancing deep into their brackets.

In the -60kg division, we witnessed an incredible upset as the unseeded competitor from Mongolia executed a picture-perfect uchi-mata in the final, claiming gold against the tournament favorite.

Technical Excellence

What stood out throughout the competition was the high level of technical proficiency displayed by all athletes. Coaches and analysts noted a significant increase in the use of combination attacks, particularly:

• Ouchi-gari to seoi-nage combinations
• Kouchi-gari feints leading to ura-nage
• Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi setups for big throws

Medal Standings

The final medal count reflected the global nature of competitive judo, with medals distributed across multiple continents. Japan led the overall standings, followed closely by France and Georgia.

Looking Ahead

With the Olympic qualification period in full swing, the Paris Grand Slam has set the tone for what promises to be an exciting year in international judo. Athletes are now looking toward the upcoming World Championships as the next major milestone in their Olympic journey.

The next stop on the IJF World Tour is the Tbilisi Grand Slam in March, where we expect to see many of the same athletes competing for valuable ranking points.