Day 7: the clash of the heavyweights

The last day of individual judo at the Paris Olympics promises to be a thrilling spectacle, drawing in not just judo enthusiasts but sports fans worldwide. This day is particularly significant for France, as it could see the legendary Teddy Riner attempt to secure his third Olympic gold medal on home soil. Riner, already one of the most decorated judokas with three Olympic gold medals including the historic Mixed Team victory, aims to cap off his career with another monumental win, turning his journey into a fairytale conclusion for the home crowd.

Another judoka aiming for a third Olympic gold is the current +100kg category Olympic Champion, Lukas Krpalek of the Czech Republic. Krpalek, who has competed in both the -100kg and +100kg categories during this Olympic cycle, is entering the competition without the pressure of expectations, having already tasted Olympic success in both divisions. However, his unseeded status could lead to an early clash in the heavyweight division, adding an element of unpredictability to his path.

The heavyweight landscape has evolved significantly throughout Krpalek's career. Leading the two halves of the draw are current World Champion Kim Minjong from South Korea and Temur Rakhimov from Tajikistan. Europe's top seed is Guram Tushishvili, a former World Champion and Olympic silver medallist who has brought dynamism to the heavyweight category. Japanese judoka Saito Tatsuru, who came close to defeating Riner in the Paris Grand Slam, is another major contender. Alisher Yusupov from Uzbekistan and Finnish fan favorite Martti Puumalainen, a Masters gold medallist and former European Champion, round out the seeded positions.

In Pool A, Minjong Kim (KOR) has a pretty clear path.
In Pool B, there's Tatsuru Saito (JPN) and Lukas Krpalek (CZE)
In Pool C, Alisher Yusupov (UZB) is the top challenger.
In Pool D, there's Guram Tushishvili (GEO) and Teddy Riner (FRA)

On the women’s side, France's Romane Dicko, the top seed in the +78kg category, is in excellent form with three consecutive Grand Slam wins this year. Despite a disappointing individual result in Tokyo, Dicko still claimed Mixed Team gold and is looking to add an individual Olympic title to her achievements. Current European Champion Raz Hershko of Israel leads the other half of the draw and, although less active in 2024, remains a formidable opponent.

Kayra Ozdemir of Turkey is a standout success story, reaching the final of the World Championships in Abu Dhabi at 36 years old. Europe also has strong contenders in Rochele Nunes of Portugal and Italy’s Asya Tavano, the latter having rapidly risen in the rankings with a Grand Slam gold in Dushanbe and a fifth-place finish in Abu Dhabi.

As with any Olympic event, there are dangerous unseeded competitors to watch. In the +78kg category, Japan’s Sone Akira and Cuba’s Idalys Ortiz are notable threats. Sone Akira, a top competitor from Japan, and Idalys Ortiz, a veteran Cuban judoka with an impressive Olympic history, add depth and unpredictability to the field.

Overall, the final day of individual judo at the Paris Olympics is set to deliver high drama, with historic achievements on the line and a roster of elite judokas ready to battle for Olympic glory.

In Pool A, Romane Dicko (FRA) is the top favorite.
In Pool B, Hayun Kim (KOR) will probably prevail.
In Pool C, there's Raz Hershko (ISR) and and Idalys Ortiz (CUB)
In Pool D, Akira Sone (JPN) has a pretty clear path.