The Paris Grand Slam is the stage of champions.

The legends of the sport have all experienced the rush of competing in France's most famous tournament and for those who won, their experience and the scale of their accomplishment will remain with them for a lifetime. The IJF spoke to 7 famed Paris winners ahead of #JudoParis2018 Yamashita Yasuhiro (JPN)

Paris tournament results: 1976 gold, 1979 gold



Above - Yamashita throws for ippon v Nowakowski (POL) in 1979 IJF: What makes the Paris tournament so special?



Yamashita Yasuhiro (YY): The sold-out arena filled with an energetic and knowledgeable crowd, the fierce competition, the atmosphere of the tournament...Every aspect of this tournament illustrates the phenomenal popularity of Judo in France. The spectators appreciate a good fight regardless of who and where the players are from. The Grand Slam attracts the world's best judoka and the level of competition is matched only at the World Championships and Masters. IJF: How did it feel as an international star and champion to be out there on the mat in front of such a vast and passionate crowd?

YY: I first stepped on the mats of the Bercy Arena in 1976. It was my first international tournament at 18 years old. From this starting point to the end of my career, I was fortunate enough not to lose to a competitor outside Japan. The final block started at 8PM, and I could remember the Arena being filled with an energetic crowd. I felt very motivated as well as fortunate to be able to test my skills in such a setting. As a result, I was able to perform above my ability and win the gold medal. IJF: You won the Paris tournament in 1976 and 1979. What do you remember from your competition days in 1976 and 1979?

YY: In 1979, I was coming off 3 consecutive wins at the All Japan Championships. I recall being very confident during this period and I was able to win my second Paris title in a convincing manner. Later in 1979 I returned to Paris to win my first senior world title. I only have good memories of fighting in Paris. I felt like I was at home, and that the crowd was always behind me. IJF: What does it mean to you to have 2 Paris gold medals among your honours? YY: I only participated in three International competitions outside of the World Championships and Olympic Games: the Paris tournament on two occasions and the Tbilisi International tournament. There were significantly less international tournaments than present day. The two gold medals I won in Paris were indeed unforgettable experiences. I believe the prestige of the Paris tournament contributed to the development of Judo around the world. I think all Judoka of each generation dreams of winning at this competition and receiving the recognition and applause from the crowd. The Paris Grand Slam is a flagship event of the World Judo Tour. This event, along with the other World Judo Tour tournaments will advance our sport to new heights towards Tokyo 2020 and then the torch will be passed to Paris in 2024. IJF: What are you looking forward to about this year's Paris Grand Slam?



YY: Under the leadership of President Vizer, Judo is moving to become more dynamic, exciting and positive while being understandable for all. I am sure that the new IJF rules being applied at this event will surely bring out these values. Unfortunately, I will not be present in Paris this year as I will be in PyeongChang for the Winter Olympic Games as the Deputy Chef de Mission of the Japanese Olympic Committee. It is a shame that I will not be there in person to see the judoka compete with honour and witness the drama unfold. However, I am certain that I will see many judoka from this event becoming heroes at Tokyo 2020 and beyond. Leandro Guilheiro (BRA)

Paris tournament results: 2010 gold, fights at #JudoParis2018

Above - Guilheiro (white judogi) throws with his trademark uchi-mata IJF: What makes the Paris tournament so special? Leandro Guilheiro (LG): I grew up hearing how huge and amazing the Paris tournament was. People always told me that no Brazilian had ever won it, so Paris was something far away to me, like a myth. It's a real privilege being part of it, always. IJF: How does it feel to be out there on the mat in front of such a vast and passionate crowd? LG: Of course I try to be as focused as I can when I fight there, like I do during any tournament. But I admit it's impossible to avoid the excitement when you are immersed in such a great environment with the special French crowd. It's really something else and the feeling is incredible. IJF: You won the Paris Grand Slam in 2010. What do you remember about this day and the feeling of hearing your anthem at the Bercy? LG: I confess I don't remember much the feeling during the medal ceremony or hearing the Brazilian anthem, but I do remember that my judo was flowing very well that day. I was able to do my best techniques and everything just happened as I wished. On the other hand, it was a very painful day too. I had my jaw dislocated in the third match and a knee ligament lesion in the final. I couldn't eat and walk properly for days, but it was definitely worth it! IJF: What does it mean to you to have a Paris Grand Slam gold medal among your honours? LG: In the history of Brazilian male team, we only have two champions there: Joo Derly and me. Our women have two champions too: Edinanci Silva and Mayra Aguiar. So it's very special to have the gold medal from this competition, even more because I feel I lived the in reality what I felt it was only a myth. IJF: You will compete at #JudoParis2018 What are you looking forward to about this year's Paris Grand Slam? LG: I have lived 5 hard years after London Olympics with many injures and surgeries, so the judo I have presented during that period has been far below what I know I can do. In order to change that, in last year's first semester I decided to stay away from competition, working hard to improve my body condition. In December I won the National Trials to get back to the Brazilian Team and now I am very grateful for being part of such special tournament. I couldn't imagine a better stage for this return. Amarilis Savon (CUB)

Paris tournament results: 1996 gold, 1999 gold, 9-time Paris medallist

Above: Savon holds down Jossinet (FRA) in their 1996 semi-final IJF: What makes the Paris tournament so special? Amarilis Savon (AS): What makes the Paris tournament so special is the fact that the best and strongest competitors in the Judo world come together to compete. Having a field of such highly touted individuals with the same love and passion for the sport is amazing. IJF: How does it feel to be out there on the mat in front of such a vast and passionate crowd? AS: After all my years of competition I must admit I still felt very nervous and always had a bit of pressure to perform well. This was magnified especially when competing against a French competitor on her home field. The passion is most definitely felt. IJF: You won 9 medals in Paris including 2 gold. How were you so successful there at one of the toughest competitions in the world? AS: I've been very very fortunate. I will have to attribute this to many factors. When you focus on a high level of preparation it builds a certain level of confidence and having that strong sense of belief in yourself is important. Factors such as strong mental concentration, psychology, desire, dedication and some luck (draw) can lead you to success. That is what made me successful. IJF: What does it mean to you to have 2 Paris gold medals among your honours? AS: I would have say that this is the best tournament in the Judo world. Only the Olympics and the World Championships would top the incredible experience the Paris tournament offers. I feel blessed and honoured. IJF: What are you looking forward to about this year's Paris Grand Slam? AS: As always with a tournament of this prestige I expect nothing but the highest quality of venue, facilities, competition and overall atmosphere and culture that only the Paris Grand Slam can offer. There is never a dull moment in Paris and I'm sure we'll have some fabulous surprises in store. Jimmy Pedro (USA)

Paris tournament results:1998 gold, 5-time Paris medallist

Above - Pedro celebrates beating Nakamura Kenzo (JPN) in the -73kg final in 1998 IJF: What makes the Paris tournament so special? Jimmy Pedro (JP): In my time when there really wasn't an official IJF World Tour with Grand Slam events and World Masters, the Tournoi de Paris was always considered to be one of the most prestigious and toughest events in the world to win. The French were allowed to have their top 8 competitors enter the event, and almost all of the top nations (Japan, Korea, Russia, etc...) always brought their best 2 players to the competition. This combined with the electric atmosphere of the excited and educated "judo" crowd made it an incredible and memorable experience for athletes. IJF: How does it feel to be out there on the mat in front of such an incredible crowd of such passionate and knowledgeable fans? JP: It is absolutely amazing!! It makes the matches exciting, and motivated me as a player to try and put on a show for the crowd. And, the best thing about the crowd is that they appreciate good judo regardless of what country the athlete is from. Of course they want the French athletes to win, but they also cheer and clap for athletes that display good judo and good fighting spirit. One year I was awarded the "fighting spirit" award at the event, and I was completely honoured to have been selected. IJF: Tell us about 1998 tournament, the year you won there. What are your memories of the day? JP: A lot of tough fights!! And, an incredible feeling of victory -- especially beating Christophe Gagliano in the semi finals and Nakamura in the finals because I had lost to Gagliano the year before in the semi finals, and both men were on the podium with me in Atlanta 1996 Olympics. IJF: What does it mean to you to have a Paris gold medal among your honours? JP: The Paris Gold is amongst my greatest judo accomplishments. When people ask me what major titles did I win in my career, I always state the World Title in 1999, my 2 Olympic medals, my 2 world bronze medals, the Tournoi de Paris gold, and the Shoriki Cup Gold (Japan). And, I always fought well in Paris. I believe I fought there about 7 times in my career, and won 1 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals. I am very proud of that -- especially considering there wasn't a world ranking back then, and many times you had to fight the best players all day long. IJF: What are you looking forward to about this year's Paris Grand Slam? JP: GREAT JUDO. GREAT FANS. And, a new generation of future champions to emerge. Khashbaatar Tsagaanbaatar (MGL)

Paris tournament results: 2013 gold, 2010 bronze, 2012 bronze

Above -Khashbaatar on top of the podium in Paris after -73kg gold in 2013 IJF: What makes the Paris tournament so special? Khashbaatar Tsagaanbaatar (KT): The Paris event features the top players from all over the world. It's a special event in our sport and one we all love. IJF: How does it feel to be out there on the mat in front so many fans and such incredible noise? KT: The athlete is the key to success and should not be affected by external influences. I have experienced different counties and crowds, and it feels good to me and there is more energy in Paris. It's nice to have a good atmosphere to energise all judoka. IJF: You won gold in Paris in 2013 at -73kg. What do you remember about this day? KT: It was nice to win the -73kg gold medal in Paris. The best of the best were there and it's an experience and victory that will always be a special memory for me. IJF: What does it mean to you to have a Paris Grand Slam gold medal among your honours? KT: I was convinced that I could win in Paris and to achieve it was a great feeling. I am now able to explain this feeling to my athletes and to help them strive for such victories in their career. IJF: What are you looking forward to about this year's Paris Grand Slam in 2018? KT: I think it's going to be nice. It's very interesting. The entry list is incredibly strong and many great champions will take to the tatami. I can't wait to see the competition. Nomura Tadahiro (JPN)

Paris tournament results: 2000 gold, 2004 gold

Above - Nomura (blue) takes on Craig Fallon (GBR) in the French capital 2004 IJF: What makes the Paris tournament so special? Nomura Tadahiro (NT): The Paris Tournament has always held a special place in my heart as it receives a lot of attention and tends to be one of the most crowd pleasing and heated tournaments. IJF: How does it feel to be out there on the mat in front of such a vast and passionate crowd? NT: It was one of my greatest joys to compete there and to see how the crowds would be so responsive to the various techniques displayed regardless of nationality. IJF: You won in Paris in 2000 and 2004. How important were these victories towards your Olympic gold medals in 2000 and 2004? NT: There is no doubt that the Olympic national trials as well as the Grand Slams in Paris in the Olympic year gave me a lot of motivation and confidence towards the Olympics. IJF: What are you looking forward to about this year's Paris Grand Slam? NT: I am obviously looking forward to heated matches as well as many Ippon wins! Lucie Decosse (FRA)

Paris tournament results: 7-time Paris winner, 10-time Paris medallist