In the Tokyo Olympic Games, the judo world celebrated the first Mixed Team event, and in incredible fashion, Team France bested Team Japan on home soil. With Japan as the ultimate powerhouse, this caused quite the stir, and knowing the next Olympic Games would be in Paris 2024, it was the perfect place for Team Japan to seek their revenge.
On the eighth and final day of the judo event in the 2024 Olympic Games, the pair once again met in the final, battling it out for the ultimate title. France gave a convincing performance, only ever dropping one contest in a round, whereas Japan were left in a draw situation with Team Spain after an unbearably close round.
In the grand finale between the titans; an Olympic versus World Champion face off, we saw a truly close competition.
Teddy RINER managed to defeat SAITO Tatsuru (JPN) with a classic uchi mata, Joan-Benjamin GABA defeated ABE Hifumi (JPN) in a gruelling golden score battle with a driving kata guruma entry, the final point for Team France was earned by Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (FRA), her opponent TAKAICHI Miku (JPN) attempted an outstretched o soto gari and was countered with a strong maki komi.
Japan levelled with points from TAKAYAMA Rika and MURAO Sanshiro, defeating Romane DICKO and Maxime-Gael NGAYAP HAMBOU respectively, both with o uchi gari, then the third point from TSUNODA Natsumi, who threw Sarah Leonie CYSIQUE with a huge tomoe nage.
This brought the titans to a head, and the draw came in to play for a third time in the final block. Then the +100kg category concluded the event.
Of course the home crowd went in to a frenzy, their three-time Olympic Champion and hero for Team France this week, Riner was back in play against Saito. The Japanese did not give up the top place on the podium with ease, as they continued back and forth for over six minutes, with two shidos each, but it was Olympic Champion Riner who was determined to double up on his gold on consecutive days.
In a stunning end to an unforgettable week of judo in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, France can hail their undefeated Olympic Champions in the Mixed Team event. Roll on Los Angeles 2028…
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen