Olympic Games Paris 2024

[다함께]

JUDO NEWS

07/30/2024

Nagase Confirm‎s Double Olympic Gold, Leski Confirm‎s Slovenian Supremacy

The day was full of twists and turns and it was difficult as the rounds went by to determine who would climb onto the podium and in what order.

At -63kg, the public expected an exceptional performance from their favourite Clarisse Agbégnénou. After a cautious start, the six-time world champion and current Olympic champion seemed able to achieve the feat of winning a new title but that was forgetting that Slovenia has a rich, even very rich, history in this category. You only have to look at the statistics since the London 2012 Games to realise that Slovenia knows how to do it.

Andreja Leski (SLO)

Today was therefore the day of Andreja Leski (SLO), who not only eliminated Agbegnenou in the semi-final, but also won the final. Speaking of the final, the presence of Prisca Awiti-Alcaraz (MEX) is one of those surprises that only the Games can offer. Having performed at several events on the world circuit, we knew Prisca was capable of the best, but from there to reaching the final, there was a giant step, that only she could take. Her silver medal is worth gold.

In this slightly crazy context, Clarisse Agbegnenou climbed onto the podium again and obtained her third Olympic medal after the silver in Rio and the gold in Tokyo; here is the bronze in Paris. Laura Fazliu (KOS) completed the podium in the tradition of the Kosovar school.

Takanori Nagase (JPN)

In the men's race, we knew that anything was possible. Takanori Nagase (JPN) is back at his best, at the best time. Suffering since his Olympic title at home three years ago, he has today achieved a magnificent performance, marked by seriousness, consistency and a great ability to surpass himself in the most important moments. With two Olympic champion titles in his pocket, he is now one of the greats of the sport.

IOC President Thomas Bach, was present today during the final block with IJF President Marius Vizer

Tato Grigalashvili (GEO) had come to get the gold. He is satisfied with silver. The taste is not the same, but the medal remains beautiful especially after his world title in Abu Dhabi this year. On the podium to accompany the two finalists, we find names that are not unknown to specialists, Joonhwan Lee (KOR) and Somon Makhmadbekov (TJK), both of whom today inscribe their name in the Pantheon of world sport.

The fifth day of competition undoubtedly still has many surprises and emotions in store for us. See you at 10am for the -90kg and -70kg categories.

-63 kg: Leski Takes the Title Back to Slovenia

The Olympic champion is Andreja Leski, the third Slovenian woman to win the title from the last 4 Olympic cycles. Urska Zolnir won in 2012, Tina Trstenjak won in 2016 and now Leski has done it in 2024. It’s an incredible legacy!

Results for Olympic Games Paris 2024 (-63 kg)

Final Results

-81kg: Nagase Once Again Increases his Level to Reach Olympus

These are probably the best there is at the moment in the -81kg category with the reigning Olympic champion, Takanori Nagase (JPN), and the reigning world champion, already three times world champion, Tato Grigalashvili (GEO), stepping on the tatami for the final. Perhaps a little blunted by his marathon semi-final, the Georgian never really seemed in the game, letting Nagase set up his kumi-kata and take the initiative, which he did not fail to do, with apparent ease, which against a champion of Grigalashvili's calibre is obviously misleading.

Results for Olympic Games Paris 2024 (-81 kg)

Final Results

-63 kg: Preliminaries

The queen is back at the Games and she wants to retain ownership of the title. Clarisse Agbegnenou has won a world title since becoming a mum and now wants the ultimate crown too. Seeded 6th, she is everyone’s nightmare in the fourth quarter and in the morning session she proved it.

-81kg: Preliminaries

The -81kg category is always one that attracts crowds and the attention of judo fans. The show is guaranteed, the incredible movements too. From the morning, we did not deviate from the rule and from the first contest, the victories of some and the defeats of others followed one another at a frantic pace.

What the Draw Might Offer on Day Five: -70 kg and -90 kg

Lasha Bekauri will arrive wearing his gold back patch but will he leave with it still in tact?

Twenty Years Later

Twenty years ago exactly, Frederique Jossinet won France’s only judo medal at the 2004 Athens Games. Competing at -48 kg, an unseeded Jossinet had an incredible day, working her way to the final to face Ryoko Tani. In Paris, twenty years later, Shrine Boukli claimed her first Olympic medal, a first -48 kg medal since Jossinet’s. It was also France’s first medal at this home Games, across all sports.

Yeldos Smetov, Olympic Champion

Yeldos Smetov first came to the World Judo Tour, competing in the Warsaw World Cup, as it was then, at just 16 years old. Fifteen years later and the 31 year old is still here, only now he is Olympic champion. He has no fewer than 3 Olympic medals, now fulfilling his dream, adding the gold to the 2016 silver and 2021 bronze.