The second day of the judo event in the Paris Olympic Games 2024 has been dubbed ‘the day of the Abes’. Two of the strongest contenders, siblings from Japan, they made a historic impact in Tokyo by winning their Olympic titles on the same day, and are now planning on recreating their magic moment in Pairs. That being said, there are athletes in abundance ready and waiting to put a stop to the fairytale.
Aside from Daniel CARGNIN (BRA) who has qualified in the -73kg category in this Olympic cycle, the whole -66kg podium from Tokyo will be making another run for it, and providing Vazha MARGVELASHVILI (GEO) can represent his ranking throughout the preliminaries and of course the semi final, he will be in for another shot at the Olympic gold. On the last occasion it was with ABE Hifumi, who will once again fall on the opposite side of the draw and potentially take on top seed, Denis VIERU (MDA). As for the world ranked number one, Vieru, 2023 was a highlight year for him as an athlete, finally entering the history books with a European Championship title, as well as a Masters silver and numerous Grand Slam medals, however 2024 has not been so kind.
Withdrawing from the Paris Grand Slam was an initial surprise for fans, then a weight category change in Tbilisi, followed by a first round exit at the World Championships. All very unlike the -66kg superstar, perhaps goading spectators and rivals to underestimate his Olympic performance.
We have guaranteed stunning performances on the radar from the likes of David GARCIA TORNE (ESP), with his ballistic style, and Matteo PIRAS (ITA) who fought to the final moment for his place in the Olympic line up. Though further down in the ranking, hopes will be held out for former European Champion and 2023 World bronze medallist, Walide KHYAR (FRA).
Now ABE Uta is not so much a ‘surprise guest’ but she will be an unpleasant early round battle for one of the top eight seeds in the -52kg category and could cause major upset, lying one spot outside of the seeding positions. It is a great pleasure for Europe to boast that all but one of those places are held by European athletes. Pipped to the number one post by Diyora KELDIYOROVA (UZB), is Distria KRASNIQI (KOS), the current Olympic Champion of the -48kg category who has made it her mission to double up on Olympic Glory and become Kosovo’s second in this weight, following the trailblazer, Majlinda KELMENDI.
It is truly a tough line up, with predictions exceedingly hard to make, the #3, #4 and #5 all stood on the Olympic podium in Tokyo and are fully capable of succeeding again but all will be laid out on the day. In at #3 is the current World Champion, Odette GIUFFRIDA (ITA) who wants to complete her Olympic collection with a gold medal in Paris, adding to her silver (Rio de Janeiro) and bronze (Tokyo). Closely behind at #4, Amandine BUCHARD (FRA) is the nations sweetheart, an emotion-driven competitor who leaves her heart on the tatami each and every time, and as the Tokyo silver medallist, she has the calibre to deliver again, only this time, the plan is gold. Chelsie GILES (GBR) is the #5 and bronze medallist from Tokyo, and is rarely seen leaving a tournament without a medal, only twice in fact since 2022, and even still, they were fifth place finishes.
Those seeded still bidding for an Olympic medal are PUPP Reka (HUN), Gefen PRIMO (ISR) and Mascha BALLHAUS (GER). A little further down the ranking, some younger entries could surprise, Ariane TORO SOLER (ESP) has Olympic glory in her blood and Binta NDIAYE (SUI) narrowly surpassed her team mate to make it to Paris.
Sunday 28th July: -66kg/-52kg
- Preliminaries
- Start: 10:00 End: 14:00
- Final block (repechage, semi-finals, bronze medal contests and final)
- Start: 16:00 End: 19:00
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen