Naohisa Takato undefeated in Paris after 20 contests and 4 gold medals

Three-time and reigning world champion Takato Naohisa (JPN) won the Paris Grand Slam for the fourth time as he maintained his 100% winning record over former world champion Yeldos Smetov (KAZ). Japanese ace Takato, who has now won in Paris in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019, set a new record as his victory was his ninth on the Grand Slam stage.

The Paris specialist countered a desperate attempt from Smetov with te-waza with 13 seconds left on the clock for a waza-ari to live up to his red backpatch.

In the first semi-final Takato sent over Tbilisi Grand Prix bronze medallist Temur Nozadze (GEO) with an uchi-mata for his second waza-ari score to move into the final. In the second semi-final World Judo Masters bronze medallist Dashdavaa Amartuvshin (MGL) was thrown for ippon by Smetov via a seoi-otoshi with 37 seconds left on the clock.

The first bronze medal contest was won by Dashdavaa who used his experience to lure Tel Aviv Grand Prix silver medallist Tornike Tsjakadoea (NED) into picking up three penalties and therefore the Mongolian star won after his Dutch opponent was disqualified. The second bronze medal contest saw Nozadze defeat world number 61 Daniel Ben David (ISR) by a waza-ari score to cap a memorable Grand Slam debut for the 21-year-old Georgian.