Tournoi de Paris 1996 – 30 years on: Japan ruled the tatami

Exactly 30 years ago the Tournoi de Paris 1996 showcased Japan’s depth: six gold medals and a roster of names that would shape judo for years. Even then, Paris was one of the sport’s most prestigious stages, where a title carried real weight. Japanese winners included Yukimasa Nakamura (U65kg), Kenzo Nakamura (U71kg) and Naoya Ogawa in the heavyweight division. Kenzo Nakamura beat French favourite Christophe Gagliano in a final that underlined his rise. European achievements were prominent too: Poland’s Paweł Nastula took gold and would later claim Olympic success, while Rafał Kubacki pushed Ogawa in the heavyweight final. Other Europeans who left their mark were Johanna Hagn (Germany), Adrian Croitoru (Romania) and Karin Kienhuis (Netherlands), who reached the U72kg final. France celebrated three golds (including Franck Chambilly, Darcel Yandzi and Isabelle Beauruelle), and the women’s competitions featured strong Japanese wins from Noriko Narazaki, Noriko Mizoguchi and Yoko Tanabe. The 1996 Paris event feels like a snapshot of a transitional era—established champions and future stars sharing the same tatami. Source: undefined