PARIS (ANN/THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN) – Aaron Wolf, Tokyo Olympic judo champion, secured a significant victory at the Paris Grand Slam on Sunday, boosting his chances of clinching Japan’s spot in the men’s 100-kilogram category at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The 27-year-old, who has faced challenges since his gold medal triumph at the Tokyo Games in 2021, emerged victorious over two-time 90kg world champion Nikoloz Sherazadishvili of Spain in a thrilling final showdown.
Notably, the 100-kilogram division remains the only category for which the Japan Judo Federation has yet to designate an Olympic representative. Wolf’s triumph comes at a crucial moment, particularly as his primary competitor, teenager Dota Arai, was eliminated in the third round of the competition.
Wolf’s journey to victory saw him dominate all six of his matches throughout the day, showcasing his prowess without the need for extra time. His final triumph over Sherazadishvili came with a decisive waza-ari scored through an inner thigh throw, securing his title in impressive fashion.
In another highlight of the event, French judo icon Teddy Riner, aiming to add a Paris gold to his illustrious collection following victories in London 2012 and Rio 2016, clinched the over-100-kilogram gold, further electrifying the atmosphere of the competition.
