There is no doubt of the strength of the French team, already with medals are Amandine BUCHARD (-52kg), Sarah Leonie CYSIQUE (-57kg), Clarisse AGBEGNENOU (-63kg ) and Luka MKHEIDZE (-60kg).
Today was the time to shine for the 2019 world champion, Madeleine MALONGA in the -78kg category. Last time she was here in the Nippon Budokan she walked away with the gold, but yet again she made it in the final. Certainly not an easy feat.
Impressive preliminaries took her through to face Kaliema ANTOMARCHI (CUB) in the quarter final which was a very close call for her, potentially her most difficult en route to the final.
Once in to the final she had HAMADA Shori (JPN) to contend with. On home soil Hamada had home advantage, and it wasn’t long before the Japanese player, known for her swift groundwork had transitioned to take the win for Japan.
For Malonga the result was disappointing but for her team and for Europe we are extremely proud to have Malonga as an Olympic finalist bringing home the silver after a fantastic day in Tokyo.
I feel proud of myself but also disappointed. It’s sport. I am proud of my journey. I was a favourite and I still achieved. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. I have won a world championships and I accept what happened.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen