-48 kg: Home Advantage and Rising Challengers
Competing on home soil, naturally Shirine Boukli will begin among the favourites. The French judoka could find herself facing reigning world champion Assunta Scutto (ITA) in the final. Particular attention should also be paid to Wakana Koga (JPN), who arrives in Paris on the back of an impressive victory at the PARK24 Group Tokyo Grand Slam 2025. The category promises intensity from the very first round. Maria Celia Laborde (USA) and Laura Martinez Abelenda (ESP) will also be here to win.
-60 kg: A Crowded Field Led by the World Champion
Brazil’s Michel Augusto will be the top seed. After reaching the final at the Guadalajara Grand Prix 2025 and finishing seventh in Tokyo last December, his consistency has earned him second place in the world ranking. Will that be enough to secure a podium finish in Paris? The challenge will be formidable with strong French representation via double Olympic medallist Luka Mkheidze and world silver medallist Romain Valadier Picard, not to mention the presence of Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Yung Wei Yang (TPE).
-52 kg: Can Anyone Stop Distria Krasniqi?
Who can stop Distria Krasniqi? The Kosovar judoka continues to deliver at the highest level and once again arrives as the clear favourite. On paper, the category appears dominated by European athletes, with Masha Ballhaus (GER), Spain’s Ayumi Leiva Sanchez, and France’s Amandine Buchard all in contention. Buchard, in particular, will benefit from strong crowd support. The first non-European athlete, Larissa Pimenta (BRA), appears only eighth on the list, but rankings rarely tell the full story.
-66 kg: The World Champion Under Pressure
World champion and world number one Takeshi Takeoka (JPN) will be the man to beat. Chasing a fourth grand slam title, dethroning him will be no easy task. In front of his home crowd, Walide Khyar (FRA) will also be hoping that the Paris atmosphere lifts him to another level. Another French judoka, Daikii Bouba car benefit of the local crowd support, when Ruslan Pashayev (AZE) can create a suprise. But maybe it will be someone else, who will stand on top of the podium at the end of the day.
-57 kg: Favourites, Redemption and Paris Dreams
Momo Tamaoki (JPN) arrives as the favourite after a strong run that included a world championship final in 2025, victory in China in September and another final appearance in Tokyo in December. Challenging her will be Sarah-Léonie Cysique (FRA), still chasing a long-awaited victory on the Bercy tatami. Brazil’s Shirlen Nascimento and France’s Faiza Mokdar, who already knows what it takes to win in Paris, will also look to disrupt the established order. And what about Ana Viktorija Puljiz (CRO), who will be among the top four of the category.
-73 kg: All Eyes on the World Champion
This is undoubtedly the headline category for the French public on day one. World champion Joan-Benjamin Gaba enters the competition as world number one and top seed. Since his world title, the Frenchman finished fifth at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. Now closely studied and expected, the real challenge begins. His main rivals are anything but unknown: world bronze medallist Tatsuki Ishihara (JPN), Abu Dhabi bronze medallist, Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov (UAE), and the 2025 Junior world champion, Muhiddin Asadulloev (TJK), or maybe Manuel Mombardo (ITA) or the former Olympic and world champion, Lasha Shavdatuashvili (GEO). Expect fireworks!
-63 kg: An Open Category to Close the Day
The final category of the opening day appears particularly open. Top seed Iva Oberan (CRO) will aim to secure a fourth grand slam medal. The 2024 world champion, Joanne Van Lieshout (NED), searching for redemption after a more difficult period, will be eager to return to her best. Kirari Yamagushi (JPN) already a grand slam winner, knows what it takes to reach the gold medal, when Laura Fazliu (KOS) will be looking for her first title in Paris.
These are only a few initial reflections based on the top seeded athletes. As always, Paris can produce confirmations, surprises, inspired performances and unexpected setbacks. One thing is certain: the spectacle promises to be thrilling!
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