Haruka Funakubo scores precious gold in Paris

For the French public in the Ibis Styles Acoord Arena, the judoka of the day in the category U57kg was definitely the Olympic Silver medallist, Sarah Léonie Cysique (FRA), but she lost against Haruka Funakubo in the semi-final, while the second French competitor Priscilla Gneto couldn’t make it passed Momo Tamaoki (JPN), in the other semi-final. Thus, the two Japanese met in the final.

The final started with an ‘I know you too well' style, each competitor knew the other perfectly; with the having a similar style of judo. With one shido apiece, they entered the golden score period, the main question being, who would be able to change the pace? It was eventually when the third penalty was given to Tamaoki, that Funakubo was designated the winner of her second gold medal in Paris.

With a win on the occasion of the last Grand Prix Portugal 2022, the 2016 Olympic champion Rafaela Silva was expecting another good day of judo but she was rapidly defeated by Faiza Mokdar (FRA) who pinned her down for ippon.

Enkhriilen Lkhagvatogod (MGL) was opposed by Priscilla Gneto (FRA) in the first bronze medal contest. In golden score, with a little ko-uchi-gari, Gneto was able to take a decisive advantage to win the bronze. Earlier in the semi final she lost against Momo Tamaoki because Gneto still had her phone her judogi, how stupid.

France secured a medal with Faiza Mokdar and Sarah Léonie Cysique facing off for the bronze medal. Sarah Léonie Cysique is already an Olympic medallist and has a lot of experience, while Faiza Mokdar is representing the new French generation in this category. Today experience paid off as Cysique in a clear transition situation, didn't lose control of the arm of her opponent and applied an armlock for ippon. This adds two new medals for the host country.