In a commanding display of skill and determination, Nagase Takanori of Japan clinched his second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the men’s judo -81kg category at Paris 2024. The final bout saw Nagase triumph over silver medallist Tato Grigalashvili of Georgia with an impressive 11-0 scoreline on Tuesday, July 30.
Takanori, who previously claimed the top spot in this event at Tokyo 2020, etched his name in history as the first male judoka to achieve consecutive Olympic golds in the -81kg weight class.
Meanwhile, in the bronze-medal matches, Lee Joonhwan of the Republic of Korea secured his first Olympic medal by defeating Matthias Casse of Belgium 1-0 in a closely contested bout (Bronze Medal Match A). Lee, a gold medallist at the 2024 Asian Judo Championships, celebrated his debut at the Games with overwhelming emotion after clinching victory.
In Bronze Medal Match B, Somon Makhmadbekov of Tajikistan showcased stellar performance to secure his country’s fifth Olympic medal ever, defeating Antonio Esposito of Italy with a dominant 10-0 scoreline. Makhmadbekov’s achievement marks a significant milestone for Tajikistan in Olympic judo, following his notable performance in the men’s -79kg category at Tokyo 2020 where he reached the round of 16.
Grigalashvili, despite a strong campaign leading up to the final, fell short against the relentless performance of Nagase. Prior to the Olympics, Grigalashvili had amassed an impressive record, including three consecutive world championships and a gold medal at the 2024 Judo World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
The judo events at Paris 2024 continue to captivate with thrilling displays of skill and sportsmanship, underscoring the global appeal and competitive spirit of this ancient martial art on the world stage.
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