International Judo Federation president Marius Vizer opened the Paris Grand Slam with a speech focused on unity, solidarity and peace, setting the tone for the start of the 2026 World Judo Tour inside a sold out Accor Arena.
Addressing French Judo Federation president Stéphane Nomis, athletes, partners and spectators, Vizer praised the French federation and government for their support in hosting one of judo’s flagship events and welcoming nations from across the world. He underlined that judo represents far more than competition, describing it as a way of life built on reconciliation, fraternity and universal peace, with no place for politics, discrimination or war.
Following the opening ceremony, competition began in Paris over two days on 7 and 8 February, with judoka from 78 countries across all continents taking part. The Paris Grand Slam marked the official launch of the 2026 World Judo Tour and the beginning of a new Olympic cycle.
Japan emerged as overall champions after a dominant performance in the men’s divisions, finishing top of the medal table and denying host nation France on home soil. France, staging the first Grand Slam of the year, secured three gold medals and finished second overall.
On the sidelines of the event, Vizer met with Battulga Khaltmaa, president of the Mongolian Judo Association, to finalise an agreement confirming Ulaanbaatar as host of four additional Grand Slam events in the coming years. The decision is strategically important as qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will begin next year, making Grand Slam tournaments central to the accumulation of world ranking points.
The International Judo Federation once again demonstrated its organisational strength, building on the success of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games held in the same city. In terms of event management, competition quality and spectator engagement, judo reaffirmed its position among the leading federations of the Summer Olympic programme.
In front of a large and enthusiastic crowd at the Accor Arena, Japan claimed gold medals through Takeshi Takeoka in the minus 66 kilogram category, Yuhei Oino at minus 81 kilograms, Goki Tajima at minus 90 kilograms, Dota Arai at minus 100 kilograms and Kanta Nakano in the plus 100 kilogram division.
France responded with three gold medals of its own. Shirine Boukli won the minus 48 kilogram category, Sarah Cysique took gold at minus 57 kilograms after defeating Japan’s Akari Omori, and Romane Dicko dominated the plus 78 kilogram division. These results secured second place overall for the host nation.
Azerbaijan finished third with one gold, one silver and one bronze medal. Italy placed fourth, while the United Arab Emirates finished fifth, benefiting from the performance of Russian born judoka Makhmadbekov, who now competes under the UAE flag.
Elsewhere, Brazil celebrated gold through Rafael Silva, Hungary claimed the title in the minus 70 kilogram category, and Kosovo’s Olympic champion Distria Krasniqi once again confirmed her status by winning gold at minus 52 kilograms.
With strong international participation, high level competition and a clear message of unity from the IJF president, the Paris Grand Slam set the direction for the 2026 World Judo Tour and the long road toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
