With a potential for five gold medals on the first day of the Paris Grand Slam 2025, the French crowd were understandably providing the well-known electric atmosphere. This event is known for celebrating the best of the best of the French team, as well as debuting their newer talents, and that’s exactly what they served in the Accor Arena, more fondly known as ‘The Bercy’.
First in the running for gold was Olympic medallist, Shirine BOUKLI in the -48kg category, and after a stellar performance in the Olympic Games, she was more than ready to give her home crowd more to celebrate. KONDO Mitsuki (JPN) appeared to have the edge on conditioning as they entered the third minute of golden score, and unfortunately it cost Boukli the gold medal, nevertheless she is happy to be back in competition after a well-earned break.
I said I wanted to come back at home because it’s special and you have the crowd with you, the atmosphere is very different, they push you. I didn’t have a big objective here, it was just to come back in competition and take the pleasure in competing again with all my family here.
It was a double win for the French team in the -60kg category, with Enzo JEAN devastating Jorre VERSTRAETEN (BEL) in the bronze medal contest, and Romain VALADIER PICARD (FRA) cementing his place in history with a revered Grand Slam gold on home soil. It wasn’t going to be an easy one given his opponent, SEKIMOTO Kenta (JPN) had been on a roll today, but Valadier Picard made it look like a walk in the park with his control and flair. Of course it was anything but easy as he explains, but with one minute to go, he put a waza ari on the board with uchi mata, and not too long after sealed the deal with a drop morote seoi nage. Impressively, he lost the lapel but with his commitment to the rotation, took the second waza ari. A first Grand Slam gold, and at home.
Last time it was my arrival to the senior level and now it is a confirmation that it is my place. I’ve worked hard for it and now I’m ready for more.
There was a chance to hear the anthem again in the -66kg category, but Daikii BOUBA (FRA) was unable to fend off Ruslan PASHAYEV (AZE) who landed on the IJF World Judo Tour only last year with bronze medals in the Tbilisi Grand Slam and Zagreb Grand Prix. Bouba could clearly feel the danger and not wanting to fall behind, put in a harai attempt, but to his dismay it was countered and over rolled by Pashayev. Only a small score, but it was enough to earn him his first Grand Slam gold, and though he defeated a host athlete, the crowd appreciated it regardless.
It was a case of polar opposites in the -57kg final, Martha FAWAZ (FRA) is still new on the scene whereas Timna NELSON LEVY (ISR) can boast of a long and successful career on the tatami but she has constantly been chasing down a medal in Paris. It was a huge celebration for Nelson Levy in the semi final, having already secured a medal no matter what, but being so close to the finish line, she needed to come out ready for the fight. With just over a minute on the clock, the arena were on their feet for Fawaz who executed a perfect sasae tsuri komi ashi, scoring ippon.
It was a difficult journey but I have the gold medal and it is amazing! It’s a good feeling that I’m here, so much work has gone in to achieving this gold medal and I hope it is a sign that there are more to come! The final, well Nelson Levy is a very good judoka, and it was just a perfect feeling that I had, and it just happened. My first thought was my family, they are here and I am so happy.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen