1 February 2025

NELSON LEVY CHASES DOWN PARIS MEDAL

Paris Grand Slam 2025

NELSON LEVY CHASES DOWN PARIS MEDAL

There were many firsts on day one of the Paris Grand Slam 2025, but mostly from the younger athletes, some just breaking through on to the senior scene, but there are others who have proven their steely determination to seek success.

One of those athletes was Timna NELSON-LEVY (ISR) in the -57kg category. The 2022 European Champion has a vast collection of medals from Grand Slam events and across the IJF World Judo Tour, but it is the dream for so many judoka to stand on the podium in Paris. Today, she secured that dream with a huge win in the semi final against FUCHIDA Megumi (JPN), no matter what she was leaving with a medal.

To the final! © Emanuele Di Feliciantonio

First of all, Paris is always amazing, the atmosphere, the audience, they are incredible, they understand judo. It is a big relief for me to take this medal, even though I didn’t win in the final. I think what makes it most is the audience, and it was truly emotional.

There was something a little different about Nelson Levy’s performance today, and in turn it brought her one of her goals,

I think I finished a very long and tough Olympic cycle, and I came here a bit more relaxed and just loving what I’m doing, loving judo, I took it easily and it went in a really good way!

Author: Thea Cowen