Ketleyn Quadros (35) still going strong and sets new age records

In 2008, a young Brazilian judoka, Ketleyn Quadros, managed to win Olympic bronze in Beijing. Fifteen years later, the same Ketleyn Quadros is present in the final of the Antalya Grand Slam and is still in the world top ten. Knowing that she had already reached the top level long before reaching the podium in Beijing, she has been gravitating in the high atmosphere of world judo for nearly twenty years. Well, before the final, and whatever the result, we can only admire such a career.

To win the title, she found in front of her Inbal Shemesh, nine years her junior, an eternity at this level of competition. The latter, twice fifth this season, in Paris and Tbilisi, had the chance to step on to a first podium in 2023, while going for the third gold medal of her career in a grand slam.

Quadros immediately took the lead of the final by imposing her kumi-kata and her pace, using some good footwork to unbalance Shemesh but Quadros knew that she had to be careful with Shemesh's pick-up capacity. So, as soon as the Israeli would grab the judogi on Quadros' back, the latter had to escape. This produced a pretty dynamic match, a balanced one, even though Shemesh was penalised twice. Golden score was almost there,  but Quadros launched, precisely on the gong, a last ippon-seoi-nage that was counted as ippon. This is what we call perfection when it comes to timing. Quadros won gold in the most beautiful way.

Two-time world medallist Barbara Timo (POR) and Katharina Haecker (AUS), with her bronze from Tbilisi last week, battled it out for a podium place. Once again, Katharina Haecker stepped on the podium after performing a soto-makikomi that gave her the victory.

Lubjana Piovesana (AUT), with few references on the world circuit, was opposed by world number two Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard (CAN), to complete the podium. The Canadian judoka secured the medal after she pinned her opponent for ippon.

At the age of 35, applying excellent transition skills to use juji-gatame against the number one seed, Beauchemin-Pinard (CAN), Quadros reached the final. She was wise and constructive and prioritised her use of energy perfectly. To sustain career for as long as she has is something very special and with performances like today’s we can say that she is not feeling the need to stop yet.

Of the top seven oldest winners at a Turkish Grand Slam or Grand Prix, five achieved it at this edition in Antalya. Rafaela Silva (30), Noel van ‘t End (31), Audrey Tcheumeo (32), Kayra Sayit (35) and recordholder in Turkey Keyleyn Quadros who will turn 36 this year.