Another year, another Paris Grand Slam concluded. Japan topped the overall medal table at the close of Paris Grand Slam 2026, collecting a total of five gold, three silver and six bronze medals. The host nation, France, followed with a 3-1-5 tally, while Azerbaijan secured third place with a 1-1-1 collection. Europe claimed a total of 21 medals, seven of them gold. Which of those were earned on day two? Let’s find out.
-81kg category
The final block opened with the medal contests of the -81kg category. Europe was present in all bouts, and the overall outcome delivered a bronze medal for Egor Sukhoparov (RUS) and a silver for Zelim Tckaev (AZE). The latter had to accept defeat against Oino Yuhei (JPN), who scored yuko with a de-ashi-barai at 2:14. This marks Tckaev’s second Paris silver.
-70kg category
The -70kg category is known for European dominance and today’s Paris final was no different with Özbas Szofi (HUN) and April Lynn Fohouo (SUI) facing one another. The Hungarian applied her usual strong sleeve control, working her way into a left-sided seoi-nage and seoi-toshi, as well as her sode-tsurikomi-goshi. Özbas’ seniority was visible throughout. By the time they reached the final minute of regular contest time, the Swiss judoka had collected two penalties and nothing changed thereafter.
Golden score it was and right from the opening exchange of extra time Fohouo nearly caught the current European champion with a well-timed ashi-guruma. It was a real work of art how Özbas avoided being thrown. The battle continued…
In the end, it was a moment of ne-waza, 1:37 into golden score, that secured the Hungarian her first ever Paris Grand Slam gold and a stylish start to the 2026 season. Ai Tsunoda Roustant (ESP) claimed bronze, defeating Irene Pedrotti (ITA).
-90kg category
With an all-Japanese final on display in the -90kg category, Europe set its sights on bronze. One was guaranteed when Alexis Mathieu (FRA) and Theodoros Tselidis (GRE) entered the field of play… and soon exited, as the French judoka secured his second Paris Grand Slam medal by holding down the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist in osae-komi. As the seconds ticked closer to victory, the crowd grew louder.
On the adjoining mat, Egor Andoni (RUS) also claimed a bronze medal, overcoming Guilherme Schimidt (BRA) with a stylish tai-otoshi in the final minute of their bout. Tajima Goki (JPN) was the eventual winner.
-78kg category
Olympic and world champion Alice Bellandi (ITA) was ready to set the Accor Arena alight as she stepped onto the mat for the -78kg final against Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko (UAE). The opening half of the contest was tactical, both athletes calm and collected but when Lytvynenko picked up her second penalty, the dynamic visibly shifted. It was as if Bellandi moved from gear two to gear five. With less than 20 seconds remaining, the Italian scored waza-ari with a sode-tsurikomi-goshi and, as the clock ran out, pure joy, relief and gratitude were clear on the face of the Italian superstar.
The all-French bronze contest between Audrey Tcheumeo and Liz Ngelebeya showcased a mirrored style. With just over 40 seconds left, Tcheumeo fell for waza-ari from her own initiation, as her team-mate caught the ashi-waza attempt and countered. Ngelebeya claimed bronze, her first Grand Slam medal of her career.
On the adjoining mat, a similar scenario unfolded under different colours, an all-German clash between Alina Boehm and Anna Monta Olek. The pair moved into golden score and, with penalties mounting on both sides, Boehm received a final warning, hansoku-make, handing the bronze medal to Olek.
-100kg category
Anton Savytskiy (UKR) faced his final hurdle of the day in the -100kg category against Arai Dota (JPN), aiming to become the Paris Grand Slam champion of 2026. The Ukrainian stood his ground strongly despite several threatening moments from Arai’s precise uchi-mata entries. The contest moved into golden score and, right from the opening exchange, Savytskiy nearly turned Arai with a low seoi-nage.
At 1:47 into golden score, Arai secured gold with a de-ashi-barai, scoring waza-ari. He celebrated openly, something not often seen from a Japanese fighter, his relief evident after such a demanding final. Arai followed the victory by showing clear respect to Savytskiy, his body language almost saying, “thank you for a great final.” Niiaz Bilalov (RUS) claimed bronze medal by defeating Gennaro Pirelli (ITA).
+78kg category
The home crowd had plenty to cheer for in the +78kg medal contests, with all four athletes on the tatami flying the French flag. Two battled for bronze, while an all-French final guaranteed a golden moment for the hosts. That also meant heartbreak on one side of the bronze clash, as Celia Cancan (FRA) and Lea Fontaine (FRA) went head-to-head for a place on the podium. By penalties, the latter won the contest.
In the final, Julia Tolofua (FRA) faced long-time rival Romane Dicko (FRA). Knowing each other inside out, the contest unfolded cautiously, with tactics outweighing risk and penalties gradually building on the scoreboard. Then, with 1:30 left on the clock, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as Tolofua collapsed, clutching her knee. The injury forced her immediate withdrawal, handing victory to Dicko in an abrupt and emotional conclusion.
+100kg category
Japan claimed the final spotlight of the weekend by booking an all-Japanese final in the +100kg category, featuring Ota Hyoga and Nakano Kanta, with the latter coming out on top.
For Europe, three judoka appeared in the bronze contests, guaranteeing at least one medal, decided in the clash between Artem Zolotukhin (RUS) and Jur Spijkers (NED). Penalties began to stack up against Zolotukhin, though no score separated them in regular time. The pair moved into golden score, battling for a further three minutes before Zolotukhin received his third and final penalty, automatically awarding the Dutch fighter a place on the podium. Meanwhile, Irakli Demetrashvili (GEO) pushed Minjong Kim (KOR) in a tight contest but ultimately fell short of a bronze medal finish.
Another unforgettable chapter has been written on the tatami of the Accor Arena, where world-class performances, emotional victories and fierce rivalries once again defined the Paris Grand Slam. As the curtain falls on the 2026 edition, athletes and fans alike leave with memories of spectacular judo and the promise of an exciting season ahead. To relive the best moments, make sure to check out the full gallery via the following link: Paris Grand Slam 2026 – European Judo Union.
Author: Szandra Szogedi