Following the conclusion of the preliminary rounds at the opening day of Paris Grand Slam 2026, Europe stood with five chances for gold across the seven finals. What was the outcome? Let’s take a closer look.
-48kg category
The final of the -48kg category may have surprised some but it was not the first meeting between Wenna Zhuang (CHN) and Shirine Boukli (FRA), and previously it was not Boukli who had come out on top. In Paris, however, in front of thousands of passionate fans, Boukli was determined to change the ending.
The French judoka controlled the contest with well-structured kumi-kata, appearing dominant throughout. The bout moved into golden score and, at 2:22, Boukli’s o-soto-gari attempt earned a yuko, securing her second Paris Grand Slam title. She stood roaring in celebration alongside the crowd.
-60kg category
Europe was guaranteed gold with an all-European final between Dilshot Khalmatov (UKR) and Balabay Aghayev (AZE), the latter already a two-time Paris Grand Slam winner. By the halfway mark, penalties were issued, one to Khalmatov and two to Aghayev. The Ukrainian shifted tactically, aiming to draw a final penalty from his opponent.
The contest entered golden score, where at 2:32 Aghayev executed a well-timed tani-otoshi to secure victory once again in Paris. Europe also celebrated a bronze medal through Izhak Ashpiz (ISR), who overcame Lee Harim (KOR).
-52kg category
Distria Krasniqi (KOS) advanced confidently through the draw until a highly anticipated semi-final against home favourite Amandine Buchard (FRA). It was a contest worthy of a final but the draw dictated otherwise. Krasniqi prevailed and went on to face Ariane Toro Soler (ESP) in the gold medal bout.
The final lasted just 27 seconds, finished with a powerful o-soto-gari rotated into a harai-maki-komi. Krasniqi sprinted from the mat into her coach’s arms in celebration. Buchard secured bronze with a stunning ashi-waza, showing a mix of relief and disappointment, while Mascha Ballhaus (GER) also reached the podium after defeating Larissa Pimenta (BRA).
-66kg category
There was no European presence in the -66kg final, where Takeoka Takeshi (JPN) claimed gold against Kim Channyeong (KOR), despite initially trailing by a yuko. Europe did, however, celebrate bronze as Ruslan Pashayev (AZE) defeated Valerio Accogli (ITA) in an intense contest.
-57kg category
France, and Europe, placed their hopes on Sarah Léonie Cysique (FRA), who reached the final where she faced Omori Akari (JPN). Both athletes displayed sharp ashi-waza exchanges before a te-waza attack earned Cysique a waza-ari lead, leaving the Japanese judoka with little time to respond.
Renowned for their kumi-kata, the French athlete controlled the closing moments expertly, maintaining her advantage until the final bell to secure gold. Faiza Mokdar (FRA) added to the home celebrations with one of the bronze medals.
-73kg category
A true clash of titans unfolded in the -73kg throughout the day. The line up for the final saw fierce looks from both, Manuel Lombardo (ITA) and Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov (UAE). Lombardo opened aggressively with an ura-nage pick-up attempt but Makhmadbekov responded soon after, scoring waza-ari with an o-soto-gari. Moments later, capitalising on a rebound from Lombardo’s attack, he struck again with another o-soto-gari to seal gold. Lombardo finished with silver medal, respectively.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Levy (GBR) enjoyed a breakthrough day, eliminating world champion and Olympic silver medallist Joan-Benjamin Gaba (FRA) in the second round. Only Lombardo managed to stop his run, earning the British judoka his first Grand Slam medal, and in Paris no less.
-63kg category
The -63kg final featured no European contender, with Rafaela Silva (BRA) claiming gold in little over 30 seconds against Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo (MGL), a result that even surprised the Brazilian, competing in a category she has not frequented recently.
Europe still secured bronze through an all-European contest between Joanne van Lieshout (NED) and Iva Oberan (CRO), with the Dutch judoka emerging victorious.
Day one concluded at one of the most prestigious events on the calendar with France topping the medal table thanks to two gold and two bronze medals. Japan following in second place (1-1-4), while Azerbaijan currently sits third with one gold and one bronze.
The second and final day promises more thrilling action, with all contests streamed live on JudoTV.com. For behind-the-scenes content and the latest updates, follow @europeanjudo on social media.
Author: Szandra Szogedi