In the 27th Paris International Judo Invitation Tournament concluded on February 13, Chinese judo athletes Yuan Hua and Liu Yuxiang won the 78kg over and 52kg class titles respectively. With the two golds also went the 48kg third class prize to the name of Chinese contestant Huang Lihong.

Paris Invitation Tournament is known as the largest that has been held at the highest level in the world. It has also regarded as a qualifier tournament for the contesting parties to gear up for 2000 Sydney Olympic Games among a series of European matches.