Inal Tasoev aiming to regain the European heavyweight title

World Ranking leader Inal Tasoev leads the pack by a significant margin, boasting over 1300 points more than fellow world champion Andy Granda (CUB) and 1500 points ahead of Japanese contender Tatsuru Saito. Despite this, the competition in this category remains fierce, especially with one of the sport's greatest judoka, Teddy Riner (FRA), setting his sights on securing his third Olympic title.

Riner aims to surpass the legendary Tadahiro Nomura's record on the all-time medal table, with Nomura having clinched Olympic gold in 1996, 2000, and 2004. However, Riner's bid for supremacy faces a formidable challenge from Inal Tasoev, who recently defeated the French superstar in a gripping final at the Doha World Championships in 2023. Tasoev's combination of speed, dynamism, strength, technical prowess, and unwavering determination make the outcome in Paris uncertain, even on Riner's home turf.

Russian judoka Inal Tasoev has had a remarkable career, marked by numerous prestigious titles and victories. He began his journey by becoming the Junior World Champion in Zagreb in 2017 and followed it up with a string of impressive achievements. Tasoev claimed gold at the European Junior Championships in 2017 and secured the title of European Cadet Champion U18 in 2015, along with a silver medal at the Cadet Worlds.

In the senior ranks, Tasoev's success continued to flourish. He emerged as the European Champion in 2021 and clinched gold at the World Championships in 2023, establishing himself as one of the best in the world. Tasoev showcased his dominance by winning the Grand Slam titles in prestigious events such as Paris, Ulaanbaatar, Baku, and Abu Dhabi.

Furthermore, he displayed his consistency by securing gold at the Grand Prix Portugal in 2024 and adding to his medal haul at the European Championships with a gold in Lisbon in 2021 and a silver in the subsequent year. Tasoev's achievements reflect his exceptional talent, dedication, and prowess on the judo mat, making him a force to be reckoned with in the world of judo.