The Olympic Judo competition is off to an electrifying start! From jaw-dropping throws to unexpected upsets, the first three days have been nothing short of exhilarating.

Let's break down the highlights, key results, and noteworthy performances, with a special spotlight on our USA Judo athletes.

Day 1 Highlights:

The 48kg judo competition at the 2024 Olympics saw Natsumi Tsunoda of Japan claim gold, defeating Mongolia's Baasankhuu Bavuudorj with a well-executed tomoe-nage. Shirine Boukli of France and Tara Babulfath of Sweden both secured bronze medals. Boukli (FRA) overcame Laura Martinez Abelenda of Spain with an o-soto-gari, while Babulfath (SWE) won Sweden's first Olympic judo medal by defeating Abiba Abuzhakynova. The event highlighted the intense competition and skill levels, with notable performances from young athletes and seasoned competitors alike.

The 60kg judo preliminaries at the 2024 Olympics featured intense matchups. World number one Yung Wei Yang (TPE) faced an early exit after losing to Yeldos Smetov (KAZ), a former world champion. Francisco Garrigos (ESP) defeated Ryuju Nagayama (JPN) in a rather controversial finish to reach the semi-finals, while Salih Yildiz (TUR) upset Giorgi Sardalashvili (GEO), the recent world champion. French judoka Luka Mkheidze also advanced, defeating Won Jin Kim (KOR).

These athletes displayed exceptional skill and determination, setting a high standard for the competition.

Final Results (-60 kg)

Yeldos Smetov (KAZ)
Luka Mkheidze (FRA)
Ryuju Nagayama (JPN)
Francisco Garrigos (ESP)
Salih Yildiz (TUR)
Giorgi Sardalashvili (GEO)
Yung Wei Yang (TPE)
Won Jin Kim (KOR)

Final Results (-48 kg)

Natsumi Tsunoda (JPN)
Baasankhuu Bavuudorj (MGL)
Shirine Boukli (FRA)
Tara Babulfath (SWE)
Laura Martinez Abelenda (ESP)
Abiba Abuzhakynova (KAZ)
Assunta Scutto (ITA)
Gabriela Narvaez (PAR)

Day 2 Highlights:

The second day of the judo competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics was marked by Diyora Keldiyorova (UZB) achieving a historic victory in the women's 52kg category. Keldiyorova defeated reigning Olympic champion Uta Abe (JPN) with an impressive ippon, continuing her dominant performance by overcoming Amandine Buchard (FRA) in the semifinals and Distria Krasniqi (KOS) in the final. This achievement marks the first-ever Olympic gold medal for a woman in Uzbek judo. Amandine Buchard and Larissa Pimenta (BRA) secured bronze medals, highlighting a day of intense and skillful judo.

In the men's judo finals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Hifumi Abe (JPN) secured gold in the -66kg category by defeating Willian Lima (BRA) with a decisive waza-ari by throwing with sode-tsuri-komi-goshi. Abe displayed remarkable control and strategy, earning his second Olympic title. In the bronze medal matches, Gusman Kyrgyzbayev (KAZ) and Denis Vieru (MDA) secured their places on the podium. Vieru's victory marked Moldova's first Olympic judo medal.

The event was marked by intense matches and outstanding performances from all athletes.

Final Results (-66 kg)

1. ABE Hifumi (JPN)
2. LIMA Willian (BRA)
3. KYRGYZBAYEV Gusman (KAZ)
3. VIERU Denis (MDA)
5. BUNCIC Strahinja (SRB)
5. KHYAR Walide (FRA)
7. EMOMALI Nurali (TJK)
7. YONDONPERENLEI Baskhuu (MGL)

Final Results (-52 kg)

1. KELDIYOROVA Diyora (UZB)
2. KRASNIQI Distria (KOS)
3. PIMENTA Larissa (BRA)
3. BUCHARD Amandine (FRA)
5. GIUFFRIDA Odette (ITA)
5. PUPP Reka (HUN)
7. BALLHAUS Mascha (GER)
7. PRIMO Gefen (ISR)

Day 3 Highlights:

On Day 3 in a thrilling final, Hidayat Heydarov (AZE) won the gold medal in the men's -73kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics, defeating Joan-Benjamin Gaba (FRA). Heydarov's decisive move in the final moments secured his victory, capping off an impressive year of wins, including the Baku Grand Slam, European Championships, and World Championships. The bronze medals were claimed by Adil Osmanov (MDA) and Soichi Hashimoto (JPN). This victory marks a significant achievement in Heydarov's career, establishing him as a dominant force in judo.

Christa Deguchi secured Canada's first Olympic judo gold in the -57 kg category, adding to her two world championship titles. After overcoming the disappointment of missing the Tokyo Games, she triumphed in a tense final against Mimi Huh (KOR), winning by penalties. Haruka Funakubo (JPN) and Sarah Leonie Cysique (FRA) claimed bronze medals, with Cysique decisively defeating Eteri Liparteliani (GEO). The competition was marked by intense matches, showcasing top judo talent. Deguchi's victory fulfilled her long-held Olympic dream.

Final Results (-73 kg)

1. Hidayat Heydarov (AZE)
2. Joan-Benjamin Gaba (FRA)
3. Adil Osmanov (MDA)
3. Soichi Hashimoto (JPN)

5. Manuel Lombardo (ITA)
5. Akil Gjakova (KOS)
7. Arthur Margelidon (CAN)
7. Erdenebayar Batzaya (MGL)

Final Results (-57 kg)

1. Christa Deguchi (CAN)
2. Mimi Huh (KOR)
3. Haruka Funakubo (JPN)
3. Sarah Leonie Cysique (FRA)

5. Rafaela Silva (BRA)
5. Eteri Liparteliani (GEO)
7. Marica Perisic (SRB)
7. Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogoo (MGL)

Spotlight on USA Judo Athletes:

Angelica Delgado -52kg

3x Olympian Angelica Delgado, competed in the women’s -52kg category, and put on a commendable performance. Going 1-1 she started off the day beating Azerbaijan's Gultaj Mammadaliyeva by wazari in Golden Score and then falling to reigning World Champion. Delgado took her 2:28 minutes into Golden Score before getting caught for wazari and ultimately eliminated from the comptition.

Delgado told USA Judo: "I gave it my all and that's really all I can say. I'm not gonna say that I'm going to sleep easy tonight because this one's gonna hurt for a while. Because I don't know if I'll be back here. You never know, but I can just say that I really gave it my all in everything that I did."

Jack Yonezuka -73kg

Reigning Junior World Silver Medalist, Jack Yonezuka made his Olympic debut in Paris in the -73kg division. Facing off against Moldova's Adil Osmanov where Jack was aggressive and taking the match to Osmanov. Unfortunately, at the 3:40 mark Yonezuka was awarded his third shido (penalty), giving Osmanov victory by ippon.

Thus cutting Yonezuka's dreams short this time around. Osmanov went on to win Bronze thus showing Yonezuka's future is a bright one!

According to USA Judo, "despite the result, Yonezuka is taking the experience gained here in Paris and applying it toward making the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles."

"Unfortunately, the outcome wasn't what I wanted, but I'm excited to hopefully do it again in L.A. I was in the top-17 directly qualified, which is good for my age [21 years old], but I want to excel into that top eight, where all the seeded players are. Maybe put myself away from some of the better players." said Yonezuka.

Maria Laborde -52kg

Maria Laborde started her day off with a quick wazai just over a minute into her openign match and then scoring yet again starting off her day in Paris on a strong note! Next match found her against top ranked Assunta Scutto if Italy where Maria was fighting well until getting caught for ippon with a pin.

Her victory over Zongying earned Laborde a match against the top-seeded Assunta Scutto of Italy. Laborde and Scutto battled for over three minutes before Scutto was able to pin Laborde for an ippon 3:23 into the bout. Thus ending her Olympic debut going 1-1.

Conclusion

The first three days of Olympic Judo have given us a taste of the incredible talent and fierce competition that define this sport. With highlights that include stunning victories and inspiring performances from athletes around the world, including our very own from USA Judo, the Olympic spirit is truly alive.

Judo in Paris: Days 1 - 3 Recap