The fourth event of the 2025 Judo Grand Slam kicked off on Friday, March 21, featuring numerous top-level athletes, despite some notable absences, including the Japanese team. Nevertheless, the competition remained electrifying, with Georgia and France fiercely competing for the highest medal count. Ultimately, Georgia topped the tally with nine medals, including two golds, surpassing France’s seven medals, which featured three golds.
France’s judokas delivered strong performances across multiple weight categories. In the +78kg division, Romane Dicko, ranked No. 5 in the world, triumphed over Russia’s Elis Startseva. In the -52kg category, Amandine Buchard overcame Israel’s Gefen Primo, who, despite the loss, secured her position as the world No. 11 by reaching the final. France’s third gold came in the men’s -60kg division, where world No. 4 Luka Mkheidze defeated Brazil’s Michel Augusto in the final.
Georgia claimed eight medals, including two golds. In the -57kg category, Eteri Liparteliani thrilled the crowd by defending her title from last year’s event, defeating her French opponent. Ranked No. 9 in the world, Liparteliani reaffirmed her dominance. The second gold for Georgia came from Lasha Shavdatuashvili, who, at 33 years old, proved he is still a force to be reckoned with. Competing in the -73kg category, he defeated Russia’s Armen Agaian, who was competing under the IJF flag.
+78 kg medalists: DICKO Romane (FRA), STARTSEVA Elis (IJF), TOLOFUA Julia (FRA), KAMPS Marit (NED). (IJF media)
Russian judokas also impressed in Tbilisi, competing under the IJF flag due to ongoing sanctions. They secured two gold medals, in the +100kg and -66kg divisions, along with two silver medals in the -73kg and +78kg categories, and two bronze medals. Anal Tasoev and Abrek Naghuchev were standout athletes for Russia, leaving their mark on the tournament.
Several other judokas clinched gold at the Tbilisi Grand Slam, representing a diverse range of nations. In the -100kg category, Ukraine’s Anto Savytskiy emerged victorious, while Slovenia’s Metka Lobnik triumphed in the -78kg division. Hungary’s Szofi Ozbas took gold in the -70kg category, and Uzbekistan’s Omar Bozorov secured the top spot in the -90kg class.
Canada’s Catherine Pinard claimed gold in the -63kg division, while Turkey’s Vedat Albayrak dominated the -81kg category. Mongolia’s Narantsetseg Ganbaatar also shone, securing another gold medal for her country.
France dominated the rankings with three gold medals, securing the top position. Georgia and the Russian athletes competing under the IJF banner each claimed two golds, finishing second and third, respectively. Uzbekistan followed in fourth place.
