Natsumi Tsunoda finishes in gold at career high in Paris

In a thrilling display of judo at the Olympic Games, the U48kg category showcased the prowess and determination of top female judokas. Boukli, Abelenda, Bavuudorj, Babulfath, Tsunoda, and others demonstrated their skills and tactical acumen, making for an unforgettable competition.

Boukli faced Scutto in a tightly contested battle, securing a waza-ari with a precise sleeve osoto-gari, which proved sufficient to win the match. This victory was a testament to Boukli's technical proficiency and strategic approach.

Abelenda's match against World Champion Bavuudorj extended into Golden Score. Both judokas had incurred two shidos, making the contest incredibly tense. However, Bavuudorj executed a stunning yoko-tomoe-nage that scored ippon, showcasing her world-class skills and composure under pressure.

In the semifinals, Babulfath took on the formidable three-time world champion Natsumi Tsunoda. The match was intense, with both athletes receiving two shidos each. Babulfath narrowly avoided disqualification for waki-gatame and managed to escape an armlock attempt. However, her efforts were ultimately undone by an illegal grip break, earning her a third shido and resulting in her loss. Despite her disappointment, the video playback confirmed the violation.

In the first bronze medal match, Boukli fought a tactical bout against Martinez Abelenda. Boukli managed to pressure the Spanish judoka into incurring two shidos. The match went into Golden Score, where Boukli scored with an osoto-gari off the ground, securing her victory and the bronze medal.

The second bronze medal match featured Abuzhakynova and Swedish sensation Babulfath. Despite Abuzhakynova's experience, Babulfath's determination and expertise in newaza (ground techniques) proved decisive. When the match transitioned to the ground, Babulfath applied a hold-down, clinching the win and earning her a bronze medal. Babulfath, coming from a real wrestling family won the first ever medal for Sweden in judo, even at the age of 18 it is possible if you dream big.

The final showdown saw Tsunoda, the reigning champion, face off against Mongolian world champion Bavuudorj. Tsunoda's mastery of sutemi (sacrifice techniques) was on full display as she secured a waza-ari with her signature tomoe-nage. This score was enough to win her the gold medal, reaffirming her status as a dominant force in the U48kg category. Tsunoda's victory not only preserved her title but also marked her as one of the top ten oldest Olympic champions in the judo history.

Japan's Tsunoda claimed the first gold medal in the women's division for her country, setting a motivational precedent for the Japanese team. This victory is a continuation of Japan's judo legacy, following their unprecedented nine gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.