Paris, France – Kim Chan-nyeong of South Korea secured a silver medal in the men’s 66kg division at the International Judo Federation (IJF) 2026 Paris Grand Slam on , marking Korea’s first medal of the tournament. The 23-year-old judoka, ranked 23rd in the world, reached the final but was ultimately defeated by Japan’s world number two, Takeoka Takeshi.
The match began favorably for Kim, who quickly gained a yuko – a minor score in judo – just 40 seconds into the bout. However, Takeoka responded with a rolling throw and subsequent pin with 1 minute and 44 seconds remaining, reversing the score and securing the victory. Takeoka’s win comes on the heels of his gold medal performance in the same weight class at the 2025 Budapest World Championships, solidifying his position as a top contender.
Despite the loss in the final, Kim Chan-nyeong’s performance represents a significant milestone in his career. This silver medal is his first podium finish at a Grand Slam event, demonstrating his growing competitiveness on the international stage. The Paris Grand Slam is a highly regarded tournament, attracting judoka from 78 countries and featuring 488 competitors – 299 men and 189 women – at the Accor Arena in Paris, France.
The competition, held from to , saw fierce competition across multiple weight classes. The medal ranking after the first two days of competition currently stands as follows: France leads with two gold and two silver medals, followed by Japan with one gold, one silver, and four bronze. Azerbaijan and Brazil are tied with one gold medal each, while Kosovo also secured a gold medal.
While Kim’s silver medal provided a bright spot for the Korean delegation, Jang Se-yoon faced disappointment in the women’s 52kg category. Ranked 22nd in the world, Jang lost to France’s Amandine Buchard, ranked 5th, in the bronze medal match after just 1 minute and 30 seconds. Buchard’s victory adds to France’s impressive medal count at the tournament.
The Paris Grand Slam continues to showcase the depth and talent within the world of judo. The event is divided into two days, with preliminary rounds and final blocks scheduled for both and . Today’s competition featured the men’s -60kg, -66kg, and -73kg categories, as well as the women’s -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, and -63kg categories. Tomorrow’s schedule includes the men’s -81kg, -90kg, -100kg, and +100kg divisions, alongside the women’s -70kg, -78kg, and +78kg categories.
The tournament’s statistics reveal a diverse representation of judo talent, with 39 competitors in the men’s -60kg category, 47 in the -66kg, 48 in the -73kg, 50 in the -81kg, 42 in the -90kg, 42 in the -100kg, and 31 in the +100kg. On the women’s side, Notice 23 competitors in the -48kg, 29 in the -52kg, 25 in the -57kg, 23 in the -63kg, 36 in the -70kg, 29 in the -78kg, and 24 in the +78kg.
Kim Chan-nyeong’s silver medal is a significant achievement for the young judoka and a positive start for the Korean team at the Paris Grand Slam. While Takeoka Takeshi proved to be a formidable opponent, Kim’s performance demonstrates his potential to become a leading force in the men’s 66kg division. The remainder of the tournament promises further exciting competition as judoka from around the globe vie for medals and valuable ranking points.
The IJF Paris Grand Slam 2026 is being closely followed by judo enthusiasts worldwide, with live updates and results available through JudoInside and the official IJF website. The event serves as a crucial stepping stone for athletes aiming to qualify for future international championships, including the Olympic Games.