Neither Brazil or Italy made it on to the Tokyo Mixed Teams podium in the 2020 Olympic Games, but in Paris, the star-studded teams made their way to the bronze medal contest.
It was a slow start for the -90kg men, with Rafael MACEDO (BRA) and Christian PARLATI (ITA) feeling out the head to head, but the pair ventured in to golden score, though it only lasted 16 seconds as Macedo pulled out a scoring o soto gari to put the first win on the board for Brazil. Next up was the newly crowned Olympic Champion of the +78kg category, Beatriz SOUZA (BRA) who took on the Italian heavyweight Asya TAVANO (ITA) in the +70kg category in the Mixed Team event, but this was short lived. In the 35 second contests Souza took down her opponent and held Tavano in osaekomi for the second win.
The -100kg athlete Gennaro PIRELLI (ITA) gave a commendable attempt against Teddy RINER (FRA) in the semi final, alas Italy lost out and were sent to the bronze. In a a desperate attempt to redeem this particular loss, Pirelli was all guns blazing against Leonardo GONCALVES (BRA) in the +90kg contest. There were some close calls for the Italian, executing his signature seoi nage, but Goncalves was prepared. Yet again, the men delved in to golden score, and the Brazilian judoka picked up a second shido, as Pirelli was constantly beating him to the attack, however the Italian was incredibly repetitive and gave Gonclaves the opportunity to counter a seoi nage attack. The pair battled in ne waza, but were stood up. Eventually, a seoi nage changing direction gave Italy their first win.
Rafaela SILVA (BRA) did not want to give Team Italy any more of an advantage, and countered Veronica TONIOLO’s uchi mata attempt, followed by juji gatame to seal the third win for Brazil in the -57kg category, only one more win was required for a 4-1 defeat.
There was a slight weight disparity in the following contest between Italy’s Manuel LOMBARDO who typically fights in the -73kg category, and Brazil’s Olympic silver medallist, Willian LIMA of the -66kg category. That being said, Lima did not look to be struggling in this match point. It was certainly one of the most exciting head to heads so far, the dynamic movements had spectators on the edge of their seats. After 43 seconds of golden score, Lima tried to step in for o uchi gari but was side stepped by Lombardo, who caught his back foot for a soft ko soto. This win from Lombardo meant that the sixth athlete would compete, and walking off he gave Savita RUSSO (ITA) a few motivational words as she took on Ketleyn QUADROS (BRA) in the -70kg contest.
An o uchi gari attempt from Russo didn’t score but she didn’t give up and travelled, attempting a drop seoi nage which was countered by Quadros, scoring waza ari, immediately in to the osae komi. With only three seconds left, Russo escaped, keeping Italy in the game. With only 26 seconds left on the clock, Russo stunned Quadros with an ippon-scoring seoi otoshi!
Time to draw.
The -57kg category was drawn. Toniolo was given a chance to redeem her loss against Silva. The dream was over very quickly for Team Italy however as Silva executed her uchi mata for a waza ari score and the bronze medal win for Brazil! This was a special achievement for Silva as the 2016 Olympic Champion was eliminated in her individual competition.
Judoka
Author: Thea Cowen