We spoke to Mr. Rouge in Paris during the Grand Slam. He was very busy with the organisation but found a few minutes to offer names and predictions for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“The 2020 Olympic Games are a special Olympic Games, because they are in the homeland of judo, where judo was born and all countries of the world will have the will to succeed. It is something very special. For the Japanese it is very complicated to be on their own territory and to be able to fight.”
Chances for hosts of the Games?
“For the Japanese it is something complex because there was the Olympic Games in 1964, the first edition and it was a European who won, so I think they will be keen to win a lot of medals.”
Surprises to expect?
“It is very difficult to guess the surprises, because otherwise they would no longer be surprises. In judo everything is possible. Absolutely anything can happen. We think the Japanese will have a lot of medals. It is logical, but it may not be the case. I think Teddy Riner is going to win, but it may not be. We think a lot of things like that can happen. I believe that predictions cannot be made. The surprises will be the surprises.”
Gold for France?
“As far as France is concerned, I believe that Clarisse Agbegnenou and Teddy Riner are legends. I believe that there is also Bilodid and other young athletes like her; they are becoming legends, whom we see on the podium regularly. In Tokyo, though, it may not necessarily be the case.”
You have probably seen how Teddy lost to Kageura Kokoro (JPN)? Don’t you think this Olympics will bring us a new Olympic champion among the heavyweights?
While you think about what happens with the heavyweights, we bring you some names given to us by Dr. Lisa Allan.
Unexpectedly, she was the first to name judoka in each category and we think it is a brave move to do it so early.
So, let’s start:
-60 kg: We don’t know which Japanese may go, either Takato or Nagayama could win, but I also like Yang from Chinese Taipei. The Olympic Games always give us surprises and I think Yang can be that unusual winner.
-66 kg: In this category I will pick Lombardo of Italy, because Italy always wins something at the Olympics, like Maddaloni, Quintavalli or Basile and Manuel Lombardo can follow Basile’s lead from Rio 2016.
-73 kg: Ono Shohei! Apart from another Japanese it is difficult to say who can overcome Ono. Probably some of the unconventional technicians and I don’t know who that can be, if anybody. I think for now he will remain undefeated.
-81 kg: Matthias Casse (BEL) or Grigalashvili (GEO), but I don’t know which Georgian will be picked. Sometimes and especially at the Olympics, favorites don’t win… I think Muki is capable of getting a medal, but Casse, for me, is quiet and he is always in the medals.
-90 kg: Maybe Mehdiyev (AZE) or Bobonov (UZB).
-100 kg: Cho Guham of Korea.
+100 kg: Krpalek. I don’t see Riner winning the Olympics… He might qualify and go but I don’t think he is ready to win.
-48 kg: Krasniqi of Kosovo could be a surprise. Daria Bilodid is the favourite, but if Krasniqi can make it to the final, she can push her.
-52 kg: Abe Uta.
-57 kg: Christa Deguchi.. If Canada will pick her..
-63 kg: Clarisse Agbegnenou.
-70 kg: I have to say Sally Conway in this category, because she is from my club and I am hoping Sally can do it!
-78 kg: Hamada Shori.
+78 kg: Idalyz Ortiz. I’d like to see her getting a 4th Olympic medal.
Stay tuned for more predictions coming soon!