Mimi Huh defeats both Canadians with tiny difference

In a dramatic and tense final, Mimi Huh of South Korea emerged victorious in the women's -57kg category at the Abu Dhabi World Championships 2024. The bout against Christa Deguchi was fiercely contested and extended into a prolonged battle, with no clear winner until the very last moment. Ultimately decided by penalties, Huh’s conditioning and strategic prowess earned her the gold medal. Emotional and overwhelmed, the young champion ran to her coach, Mi-Jung Kim, an Olympic champion herself, marking a significant milestone in her budding career.

A minute and forty seconds into regulation time, Deguchi and Huh had received two penalties each. Once the eight minutes and eighteen seconds of overtime were added to the combat, the two judokas had fought for the equivalent of three consecutive bouts. Each time one of them attempted an attack during the exciting final, her opponent managed to neutralize it.

As the clock ticked on, the fatigue set in. Ultimately, an exhausted Deguchi was penalized for non-combativity in overtime, thus putting an end to the showdown.

“The final was very tactical,” explained national team coach Antoine Valois-Fortier. “At the end of a long fight like that, the slightest error or hesitation can be fatal. The athletes want to win, and they try to find a way to do so, but this fight was locked up pretty tight, and it was hard to find a way out of it.”

Klimkait's Bronze and the Battle of Canadians

The first bronze medal match featured Jessica Klimkait and Timna Nelson Levy. Klimkait, showing remarkable mental resilience, executed a seoi-otoshi in the opening moments to score waza-ari. Despite an intense and fast-paced fight, Klimkait maintained her lead, securing her third world bronze medal and ensuring two Canadians would stand on the podium. Klimkait's display of skill and mental toughness highlights her status as a top-tier competitor, despite the immense pressure of Olympic selection.

“I really have to commend the consistency and strength of character of the two Canadians. There was a lot of pressure today, and they were very impressive to watch,” noted her coach. “Jessica came back really strong for the bronze medal. What strength of character! It’s not something I’ve seen often. She had a great day.”

The Canadian Duel: Deguchi vs. Klimkait

The -57kg category has been dominated by Canadian judokas Christa Deguchi and Jessica Klimkait, both of whom are world champions and ranked number one and two globally. The rivalry between these two has brought the Olympic selection down to the wire. In this cycle, it was Deguchi who secured the silver medal, while Klimkait’s path was marred by intense competition and pressure.

Klimkait, the number two seed, faced a challenging day from the outset. She secured a waza-ari from a seoi-otoshi against Beurskens (NED) and achieved tactical victories over Podolak (POL) and Lkhagvatogoo (MGL) to reach the semi-final. However, these victories were hard-fought and highlighted the intense competition in the category.

Tamaoki’s Tactical Victory

The second bronze medal contest saw Japan’s Momo Tamaoki face off against Mongolia’s Lkhagvatogoo. In a close and strategic match, Tamaoki's experience proved decisive as she won on penalties. This victory not only earned her the bronze medal but also ensured the Japanese flag flew in the Emirates, showcasing her tactical acumen and composure under pressure.

Mimi Huh's Impressive Run

Mimi Huh’s journey to the final was marked by high-paced and decisive victories. She defeated European champion Kurbonmamadova (AIN) with a throw and overcame Toprak (AZE) by shime-waza. In the quarter-final, she threw and held Aminova (UZB) to advance further.

In her semi-final against Klimkait, Huh scored within the first 40 seconds, maintaining a relentless pace that left Klimkait struggling to keep up. This victory not only secured Huh’s place in the final but also highlighted her rising status in the judo world.

For Klimkait, the semi-final loss was a significant blow, affecting her Olympic aspirations. The pressure of knowing how much a single contest can impact one’s future is immense, and Klimkait was visibly affected by it. Despite this setback, her resilience and determination were evident throughout the competition. The Abu Dhabi World Championships 2024 showcased the intense competition and remarkable talent in the women's -57kg category. Mimi Huh’s victory and Christa Deguchi's silver medal underscored the high level of performance. Jessica Klimkait’s bronze medal, achieved through mental toughness and skill, highlighted the ongoing rivalry and the challenges of Olympic selection. The event was a testament to the dedication and resilience of all the judokas involved, promising more exciting contests in the future.