Teddy Riner back in the Paris final for the first in ten years

On the second day of the Grand Slam in Paris, the fans in the sold out stadium Bercy swill see Teddy Riner in the final +100kg for the first time in ten years. The heavyweight will be facing Japanese Hyoga Ota in that perfect final. Riner can win his seventh title in Paris, his first was in 2008, 15 years ago.

In fact most of the top favourites made it to the final. The U81kg division is one of the toughest categories and World Champion Tato Grigalashvili (GEO) managed to reach the final. The surprise though is German Champion Timo Cavelius.

Another piece of fireworks was expected in the U90kg division, where the fans saw two surprising finallists. Former World Champion Noël van ‘t End (2019) overcame Ivan Silva Morales in the semis and will now be opposed to Murad Fatiyev (AZE) who bested Luka Maisuradze of Georgia.

The U100kg division is not quite as jammed-packed with top prospects but it also has some very exciting players to watch. Michael Korrel (NED) didn’t surprise with a spot in the final. He is as steady as always and will be opposed to Dzhafar Kostoev (UAE) who overcame Shady Elnahas (CAN) in the semi final. Korrel defeated Toma Nikiforov (BEL).

The U70kg division for women has four exciting players and Ai Tsunoda Roustant (ESP) will face Marie Eve Gahie (FRA) in for sure a dazzling Accor Arena with lots of noise to support the former French world champion against the double Junior world champion.

The French can continue to cheer for another experienced former world champion, Audrey Tcheumeo (FRA) is fully back in her category. She is an icon at the Grand Slam in Paris having won the title five times. She can defend her title U78kg against compatriot Chloe Buttigieg.

The +78kg division will see Japanese Maya Akiba in the final against Kim Hayun (KOR). The French will have to settle for one or two bronze medals as Romane Dicko and Julia Tolofua can both win bronze.