Romane Dicko demands Olympic gold after tough test in Astana

French judoka Romane Dicko showcased her readiness for the upcoming Olympics by clinching the gold medal in Astana, Kazakhstan. Despite the presence of formidable opponents like current Olympic champion Akira Sone of Japan and 4-time Olympic medallist Idalys Ortiz of Cuba, Dicko's dominant performance sent a clear message to her competitors.

With Dicko's commanding victory, she not only demonstrated her prowess on the mat but also signaled her intentions for the Paris Olympics, indicating that anyone eyeing the Olympic title would need to contend with her formidable presence.

In the other semi-final, Chinese judokas Xu and Su were expected to face off, with only a slim margin of 70 points between them in the Olympic Ranking List. However, their performances in Astana revealed a widening gap between them, with significant implications for their domestic competition.

The final showdown between Dicko and Su lasted just a minute, with Dicko swiftly executing an armlock to secure victory. Throughout the day, Dicko's relentless dominance left no room for her opponents to mount any significant attacks, showcasing her exceptional skills and determination.

In the first bronze medal contest, Startseva of the Athlete Refugee Team outclassed Dambadarjaa of Mongolia, demonstrating superior grip and technique to claim the bronze medal.

Facing the Olympic champion Sone for bronze, Homan put up a valiant fight despite succumbing to a waza-ari from Sone's seoi-otoshi. Despite the outcome, Homan's performance was commendable, marking a significant learning experience for her.

Meanwhile, Ortiz faced disappointment, losing to Vladimirova of the Athlete Refugee Team in round two and subsequently being disqualified for an illegal throw against Sone. Sone herself faced a tough challenge in round one against a German opponent, narrowly avoiding penalties to advance in the tournament.

Overall, Dicko's dominant performance and the fierce competition among the other judokas made for an exhilarating event in Astana.