Aurélien Canot, Media365, published on Friday January 17, 2025 at 6:52 p.m.
The roster of withdrawals for the Paris Grand Slam, set to take place on February 1 and 2, continues to expand daily.As of now, only two Olympic medalists from the Paris 2024 Games—Shirine Boukli and Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou—are confirmed to participate.
Should this trend persist,the Paris Grand Slam will proceed without the presence of the French stars initially expected to compete. The event, regarded as the most meaningful in judo since the Paris 2024 Olympics, is seeing an increasing number of athletes withdraw. Following the recent announcements from Clarisse Agbegnenou and Romane Dicko, who feel unprepared for such a high-stakes competition, additional names have joined the list of absentees. Among them is Teddy riner, whose withdrawal was confirmed last December. On the men’s side, Lucas mkheidze and Joan-Benjamin gaba, both silver medalists at the Paris 2024 Games (in the -60 kg and -73 kg categories, respectively), will also be missing. This leaves only two out of the ten French Olympic medalists expected to compete at the Accor Arena, where tickets have already sold out.
Boukli and Hambou: the Sole Representatives
Shirine Boukli, who secured a gold medal in the -48 kg category last August, and Maxime-Gaël Ngayap Hambou, a bronze medalist in the -90 kg category and a key contributor to the French team’s success, remain the only confirmed participants. The French Judo Federation, led by President Stéphane Nomis, hopes that the wave of withdrawals will cease. While Nomis expresses disappointment for the fans who anticipated seeing their favorite athletes,he empathizes with the competitors. “It’s unfortunate for the Parisian audience who won’t see their champions in action. However, our athletes have a limited career span, and they need time to recover,” nomis stated during an interview with RMC two weeks before the event. Despite the setbacks, the Paris Grand Slam is expected to deliver an exciting competition.
Judo Paris Grand Slam: The List of Withdrawals Continues to Grow
Published on January 17, 2025
The Paris Grand Slam, one of the most prestigious events on the international judo calendar, is facing an unprecedented wave of withdrawals as the competition approaches. With just days to go before the tournament kicks off, the list of absentees has grown considerably, raising concerns about the impact on the event’s prestige and competitiveness.
Key Withdrawals shake the Tournament
Several high-profile judokas have announced their withdrawal from the Paris Grand Slam, citing a variety of reasons including injuries, personal commitments, and strategic decisions to focus on upcoming competitions. Among the notable names missing from the lineup are:
- Teddy Riner (FRA): The French judo legend and multiple-time world champion has opted to skip the tournament to recover from a minor injury sustained during training. Riner’s absence is a important blow to the home crowd, who were eager to see him compete on French soil.
- Daria bilodid (UKR): The two-time world champion in the -48kg category has withdrawn due to a scheduling conflict, as she prepares for a major training camp ahead of the European Championships.
- Hifumi Abe (JPN): The reigning Olympic champion in the -66kg category has pulled out, citing the need to focus on his long-term preparation for the 2025 World Championships.
Impact on the Competition
The growing list of withdrawals has sparked debates among fans and analysts about the implications for the tournament. While the Paris Grand Slam remains a key event in the judo world,the absence of several top-tier athletes could dilute the level of competition and reduce the spectacle for spectators.
However, some argue that the withdrawals open the door for emerging talents to shine on a global stage. Younger judokas and underdogs now have a unique opportunity to make their mark and potentially secure valuable ranking points ahead of the 2025 World Championships.
Organizers Remain Optimistic
Despite the challenges, the organizers of the Paris Grand Slam remain confident in the event’s ability to deliver high-quality judo. They have emphasized that the tournament will still feature a strong field of competitors,including reigning Olympic and world champions from various weight categories.
in a statement,the organizing committee said,”While we regret the absence of some of our sport’s biggest stars,we are excited to showcase the depth of talent in judo. The Paris Grand Slam has always been a platform for rising stars, and this year will be no different.”
Looking ahead
As the judo community prepares for the Paris Grand Slam, the focus will undoubtedly shift to the athletes who are ready to step up and seize the opportunity.The tournament promises to be a thrilling showcase of skill, determination, and sportsmanship, even in the face of adversity.
Stay tuned for more updates as the competition unfolds, and let us know your thoughts on how these withdrawals might shape the outcome of this year’s Paris Grand Slam.
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