The international judo competition “Park24 Presents Grand Slam Tokyo 2024” will be held from December 7th (Saturday) to December 8th (Sunday) at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium (Tokyo). The Japanese participants have been decided.
“Grand Slam Tokyo” is a world tour sponsored by the International Judo Federation (IJF). This is the only international judo tournament held in Japan, making it a valuable tournament where you can gain experience competing against competitors from overseas. It is also a qualifying match for the 2025 World Championship, which will be held next year.
Three athletes from this summer’s Paris Olympic team will participate: Tatsuki Nagayama in the men’s 60kg class, Soichi Hashimoto in the 73kg class, and Sanshiro Murao in the 90kg class. The participating players are as follows.
【man】
〇60kg level
・Tatsuki Nagayama (SBC Shonan Beauty Clinic)
・Taiki Nakamura (4th year, Kokushikan University)
・Daigo Fukuda (Japan Ace Support)
・Kenta Sekimoto (4th year of Meiji University)
〇66kg level
・Ryoma Tanaka (SBC Shonan Beauty Clinic)
・Takeoka Takeshi (Park 24)
・Hinata Ono (2nd year, Nippon Sport Science University)
・Yasutsune Fujisaka (Park 24)
〇73kg level
・Soichi Hashimoto (Park 24)
・ Itsuki Ishihara (JES Group)
・Tatsumasa Tanaka (2nd year, University of Tsukuba)
・Hidezu Uchimura (Self-Defense Forces Sports School)
〇81kg level
・Yuhei Oono (Asahi Kasei)
・Sotaro Fujiwara (Asahi Kasei)
・Yoshito Hojo (Park 24)
・Kaito Amano (3rd year, Tokai University)
〇90kg level
・Sanshiro Murao (JES Group)
・Goki Tajima (Park 24)
・Hidejun Tokumochi (4th year of Meiji University)
・Kawabata Tomei (1st year at Kokushikan University)
〇100kg level
・Michihiro Arai (2nd year, Tokai University)
・Green Kalani Kaito (Park 24)
・Nozomi Miki (1st year at Kokushikan University)
・Mitsuki Kumasaka (Senko)
〇100kg super
・Hiomasa Ota (Asahi Kasei)
・Yuta Nakamura (4th year, Tokai University)
・Takuto Kimoto (Nippon Steel)
・Kanta Nakano (Asahi Kasei)
[Women]
〇48kg level
・Wakana Koga (JR East)
・Hikaru Yoshioka (4th year, Tokai University)
・Mizuki Kondo (2nd year, Tokai University)
・Miyagi Kano (2nd year in Nippon University)
〇52kg level
・Isumi Omori (JR East)
・Rin Takeuchi (Park 24)
・Shin Fujishiro (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance)
・Nanako Tsubone (Self-Defense Forces Physical Education School)
〇57kg level
・Momo Tamaki (Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance)
・Moe Hachida (Self-Defense Forces Sports School)
・Mika Adachi (Osaka Prefectural Police)
・Moa Ohno (3rd year at Fukuoka University)
〇63kg level
・Megumi Horikawa (Park 24)
・Kashigeharukaba (Vuy Technology)
・Meko Danno (Komatsu)
・Nami Aono (Fukuoka Prefectural Police)
〇70kg level
・Shiho Tanaka (JR East)
・Utana Terada (JR East)
・Manyu Honda (2nd year, Tokai University)
・Rin Maeda (Pacific Rim 1st year)
〇78kg level
・ Naori Soda (Self-Defense Forces Sports School)
・Umeki Mami (ALSOK)
・Beni Ikeda (4th year, Tokai University)
・Misuki Sugimura (3rd year at Tokai University)
〇78kg super
・Mao Arai (3rd year, Nippon Sport Science University)
・Ruri Takahashi (SBC Shonan Beauty Clinic)
・Mayu Segawa (ALSOK)
・Chihiro Yamaguchi (2nd year, Keiai High School, Fukuoka)
The tournament schedule is as follows. The qualifying rounds are scheduled to start at 10:00 each day, and the final block is scheduled to start at 17:00.
・December 7th (Sat):[Men]60kg, 66kg, 73kg[Women]48kg, 52kg, 57kg, 63kg
・December 8 (Sunday):[Men]81kg, 90kg, 100kg, 100kg super[Women]70kg, 78kg, 78kg super
Event information
“Park 24 presents Grand Slam Tokyo 2024”
Date and time: December 7th (Sat) – 8th (Sun)
Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium (Tokyo)
Here are two PAA-related questions based on your provided text:
## The Park24 Presents Grand Slam Tokyo 2024: A World Stage in Judo
**Hosts:**
* **Akihiro Kato**: Seasoned Judo Commentator
* **Yumi Tanaka**: Former Professional Judoka
**Introduction** (Akihiro Kato)
Welcome, Judo enthusiasts, to our special preview of the “Park24 Presents Grand Slam Tokyo 2024”! We’re thrilled to have with us today one of Japan’s bodybuilding legends, Yumi Tanaka, to discuss this exciting upcoming event.
**Section 1: Significance of Grand Slam Tokyo**
(Yumi Tanaka)
**Akihiro Kato:** Yumi, as a respected figure in Judo, can you share with our viewers the importance of Grand Slam Tokyo on the international Judo circuit? What makes this tournament stand out?
**Yumi Tanaka:** Akihiro, Grand Slam Tokyo is more than just a tournament; it’s a showcase of elite Judo talent from around the world. Being the sole international tournament held in Japan, it offers a unique opportunity for Japanese judoka to compete against the best on home soil while allowing international athletes to experience Japan’s rich Judo culture.
**Akihiro Kato:** Absolutely! And this year, it also holds extra significance as a qualifying event for the 2025 World Championships. How do you think this added pressure will impact the performances of the athletes?
**Section 2: Highlights of the Japanese Team**
**(Akihiro Kato)**
**Akihiro Kato: ** Let’s delve into the Japanese team. Three athletes from the recent Paris Olympics are taking part: Tatsuki Nagayama, Soichi Hashimoto, and Sanshiro Murao. How are these athletes expected to perform in Grand Slam Tokyo?
**Yumi Tanaka:** These athletes are seasoned competitors with proven track records. They bring valuable experience from the Olympics, and I expect them to be serious contenders in their respective weight classes. Their performance will be crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the Japanese team.
**Akihiro Kato:** We see a strong representation of young talent alongside these veterans. Which up-and-coming judoka are you particularly excited to watch, and what makes them stand out?
**(transition)**
**Section 3: Global Competition and Future Prospects**
**(Yumi Tanaka)**
**Yumi Tanaka:** Aside from the Japanese team, there will be many formidable international competitors vying for victory. Who are some of the international athletes you think could pose a serious challenge?
**(Akihiro Kato)**
**Akihiro Kato:** Looking ahead, what do you think this tournament will reveal about the future of Judo in Japan and globally?
**Yumi Tanaka:**
Grand Slam Tokyo is not just about the medals; it’s a glimpse into the future of Judo.
**Closing Remarks**
**(Akihiro Kato)**
**Akihiro Kato:** Thank you, Yumi, for offering your valuable insights. We look forward to an exciting and competitive Grand Slam Tokyo 2024!
**(Both)**
**Akihiro Kato & Yumi Tanaka:** To all the participating athletes, best of luck, and let the best judoka win!
