For judo fans, we were expecting a final between Romane DICKO (FRA) and Raz HERSHKO (ISR), however, it was only the latter who was representing the European Judo Union in the +78kg final of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Beatriz SOUZA (BRA) was the athlete who defeated Dicko, and was on a run on the seventh day of the judo event. Then came the final. Hershko struggled to find an answer for Souza, and as one of the shortest in stature in this weight category, she is used to the height difference and often uses this to her advantage.
Unfortunately she was caught early in the head to head with ashi guruma, and though she battled hard until the final second, she was simply unable to level the score. Although she missed out on the top place of the podium, Hershko can be proud of her place in the Olympic final, adding to the total for Team Israel, and can look forward to the Mixed Team event tomorrow, were her team placed third in Tokyo.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen