Who is your female ace for the Grand Slam of Tokyo

The season finale is the Grand Slam of Tokyo. In all means a record breaking event. Never a Grand Slam in Tokyo attracted to many athletes. The field never exceeded 500 judoka and so far 537 athletes are registered. A record of male participants with almost 20% more than the record of 2019. The women’s grid shows 217 athletes, more than ever before and better than the Grand Slam of Paris. Only the Grand Slam of Antalya had more athletes on board in Turkiye. The Grand Slam of Tokyo will have a spectacular field.

Let’s zoom in to the candidates for gold in the women’s division. Pundits are deep into the data to name their best aces for the victories of the seven weight categories. Each division is like a casino where it’s tough to predict to winner, but we will give you the ingredients to be an insider.

Lightweights are for Japan

Will the Japanese dominate as always at home ground, just read our preview which we will start with the lightweight division U48kg, always a target for the Japanese. In the previous 13 editions, 12 times gold for Japan, only Urantsetseg Munkhbat was able to capture gold for Mongolia in 2016. This year triple world champion Natsumi Tsunoda is the number one candidate. Blandine Pont, not selected for the Games might show her best side. Four athletes are ranked in IJF’s top 10.

Also four top 10 ranked athletes U52kg with number one seed Reka Pupp. She might have to deal with Uta Abe the undisputed queen in judo and Olympic champion of Tokyo. It’s a pleasure to see her back on the mat. This division is clean bet but the odds will be low. The dark horse (well at least non seeded) might be Lkhagvasuren of Mongolia. Larissa Pimenta of Brazil is a potential finalist.

Canadian Clash

One class where Japan is less dominant is the U57kg division where two Canadian women set the tone. Both Klimkait as Deguchi are present and Deguchi is the world champion, Klimkait has the pace. Another former world champion Rafaela Silva would want to win in Tokyo. The only none Japanese winner in this class in history is Jessica Klimkait in 2018. The Japanese non seeded Momo Tamaoki is still an ace for a final spot.

Another amazing class is U63kg with a really strong field including world number one Beauchemin-Pinard, but without world and Olympic champion Clarisse Agbegnenou. Two Japanese will be poised to reach the final: Miku Takaichi who wasn’t successful at the world championships in Doha this year but is for sure eager to defend her title of 2022. Megumi Horikawa won the tournament in 2012. Andreja Leski is on good form and can become the third Slovenian to win this Grand Slam. Urska Zolnir and Tina Trstenjak both won this prestigious event.

Taimazova is back

Another catchy line-up U70kg with Sanne van Dijke (NED) who wants to follow up Linda Bolder (2012) as winner in Tokyo. Last six editions saw a Japanese winner, but we doubt if this will be the case this time. Teltsidou (GRE) is in shape this year, Taimazova is the most mature in the team of AIN and won the Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi in October.

Inbar Lanir (ISR) is the world champion and her red back patch will make the Japanese candidates eager to beat her. Shori Hamada and Mami Umeki have proven to be capable of winning this Grand Slam. Rika Takayama won the title last year and is among the seeded players. Kayla Harrison (USA) was the last non Japanese to win it. Interesting is the participation of triple world champion and triple Olympic medallist Mayra Aguiar (BRA). Never a Brazilian athlete won this Grand Slam, in any weight category.

Israel never won this Grand Slam

Number one seed Raz Hershko (ISR) is the one to beat +78kg…. well is she? We think so, without Akira Sone or Sarah Asahina, Japan cannot bring anyone with such reputation. Romane Dicko (FRA) is absent so the fireworks may come from Israel, but this is a category for surprises, so watch out with your bets.