In a thrilling display of athleticism and skill at the Champ de Mars Arena, Japan’s Takanori Nagase cemented his legacy by retaining his Olympic under 81kg judo title, a feat he first achieved in Tokyo three years prior. Nagase, who also holds a bronze medal from Rio 2016, decisively defeated three-time world champion Tato Grigalashvili of Georgia, securing victory by ippon in under three minutes.
Slovenia’s Golden Moment: Leski’s Unprecedented Win
The women’s under 63kg final witnessed a historic moment as Slovenia’s Andreja Leski clinched her nation’s first gold medal of the Paris Games. Leski, the reigning European champion, outmaneuvered Mexican judoka Prisca Awiti Alcaraz, culminating in an ippon victory. This victory marks Slovenia’s second Olympic judo gold, following Urska Zolnir’s 2012 triumph in the same weight class. Leski’s journey to gold included a stunning upset in the semi-finals, where she defeated French reigning champion Clarisse Agbegnenou.
French Hopes Dashed, but Agbegnenou Secures Bronze
The Champ de Mars Arena, filled predominantly with French supporters, was momentarily silenced as Leski’s victory dashed hopes for a home judo gold. However, Agbegnenou, a six-time world champion, rallied to secure a bronze medal in a victory over Lubjana Piovesana of Austria. The crowd erupted in applause as Agbegnenou, holding her two-year-old child, acknowledged the support from her teammates and French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera.
Additional Medalists and Notable Moments
The other bronze medal in the women’s under 63kg category went to Laura Fazliu of Kosovo. In the men’s competition, South Korean Lee Joon-hwan and Somon Makhmadbekov of Tajikistan secured bronze medals.
Summary: The Paris Olympics judo competition saw Japan’s Takanori Nagase retain his under 81kg title while Slovenia’s Andreja Leski made history by winning her country’s first gold medal of the games. France’s Clarisse Agbegnenou, though defeated in the semi-finals, secured a bronze medal.
Key Takeaways:
- Takanori Nagase of Japan successfully defended his Olympic under 81kg judo title.
- Andreja Leski won Slovenia’s first gold medal of the Paris Games in the women’s under 63kg judo event.
- Clarisse Agbegnenou of France, despite a semi-final loss, secured a bronze medal in the women’s under 63kg judo competition.
Roshan Kumar Sahoo is a multifaceted journalist with expertise in entertainment-related news, sports , tech, and international relations. His ability to navigate these diverse fields allows him to provide readers with a rich blend of content, from the latest entertainment buzz to cutting-edge sports technology and insightful analysis of global affairs. Roshan’s writing is characterized by its depth, accuracy, and engaging style, making him a trusted voice across multiple domains.
