The second day of judo at the Paris 2024 Paralympics featured all the competitions in the J2 -57kg, J1 -73kg, J1 -70kg, J2 -70kg and J2 -73kg categories. Following an emotional first day, the second session once again delivered a first-class show to the thousands of spectators at the Arena Champ-de-Mars.
This morning’s men’s J1 -73 kg category was filled with suspense and high stakes. Top seed Florin-Alexandru Bologa (ROU) faced a challenging path to the final, overcoming Shokhrukh Mamedov (UZB) in the first round and Harlley Damiao Pereira Arruda (BRA) in the semi-final, both of whom later appeared in the final block. Being the favourite doesn’t always guarantee an advantage, but Bologa expertly managed the pressure and exploited his opponents’ defensive gaps.
The second seed, Germany’s Lennart Sass, aimed to replicate Bologa’s success, but it was the fourth seed, Yergali Shamey (KAZ), who ultimately advanced to the final against Bologa. A two-time Paralympic bronze medalist and two-time European champion, Bologa faced a formidable opponent in the 2022 world champion Yergali Shamey. Just thirty seconds into the contest, Bologa scored an initial waza-ari with a nearly flawless seoi-otoshi. Staying composed, he soon executed another seoi-otoshi to secure a well-deserved Paralympic title.
The first bronze medal match saw Shokhrukh Mamedov (UZB) take on Lennart Sass (GER). Sass struck first, scoring a waza-ari with a powerful harai-goshi. Forced to take risks, Mamedov left an opening that Sass capitalised on, countering for a second waza-ari to secure the bronze for Germany. The second bronze medal contest featured Djibrilo Iafa (POR), a two-time European para-judo medalist, against Harlley Damiao Pereira Arruda (BRA), a Pan-American para-judo champion. The bout was spectacular, filled with dynamic ippon-seoi-nage and tomoe-nage techniques. Iafa clinched the bronze with a waza-ari from a tomoe-nage in the final minute, completing the podium.
Europe’s overall medal tally has grown with an additional nine medals after day two. For more information and all results from the Paris 2024 Paralympics ijf.org
Images: IJF / Emanuele Di Feliciantonio / Content: Nicolas Messner
Author: Szandra Szogedi