Diyora Keldiyorova shows Uta Abe the exit door in shocking first round

The day at the judo arena began with a shocking turn of events as Uta Abe, the reigning Olympic and four-time world champion from Japan, faced an early exit. Abe, renowned for her swift and decisive victories, made quick work of Kelly Deguchi from Canada, executing an osoto-gari for ippon in less than a minute. This win set the stage for an explosive second match against Diyora Keldiyorova of Uzbekistan.

The encounter between Abe and Keldiyorova was highly anticipated, as it could have easily been the final given their formidable reputations. Despite Abe's impressive track record, her limited competition in the lead-up to the Olympics left her just outside the Top 8 rankings, resulting in her unseeded status.

Abe started strong, securing a waza-ari with her signature sleeve uchimata. She seemed poised for victory, maintaining her lead with confidence. However, with just about a minute remaining, Keldiyorova executed a stunning kosoto-gari/tani-otoshi for ippon, shocking Abe and the entire stadium. This unexpected turn of events ended Abe's quest for a second Olympic gold, as the preliminary match rules precluded any chance for repechage.

Keldiyorova's victory is a testament to her meticulous preparation and strategic prowess, developed under the guidance of coach Marko Spittka. While the win was monumental, it came early in the day, leaving Keldiyorova with significant challenges ahead. Maintaining focus after such a dramatic victory is crucial for continued success.

Meanwhile, Amandine Buchard of France faced a tough match against Sofia Asvesta from Cyprus. It was only in the final minute that Buchard managed to score, executing a spectacular side takedown that left Asvesta flat on her back.

Keldiyorova continued her winning streak, defeating Germany’s representative in the third round to secure a spot in the semi-final, relegating Ballhaus to the repechage. Her semi-final opponent was to be decided between Buchard and Brazilian judoka Larissa Pimenta. Pimenta, who had previously ousted Olympic bronze medallist Chelsie Giles in the round of 16, was determined to continue her advance. However, Buchard, driven by the support of her home crowd, held Pimenta for ippon, sending the arena into a frenzy of cheers.

In the bottom half of the draw, the competition unfolded as expected. Distria Krasniqi powered through her opponents, setting up a semi-final clash with the current world champion. Italian judoka Odette Giuffrida, fresh from her emotional win at the World Championships, also looked poised for success. With two Olympic medals already in her collection, Giuffrida aimed for gold, demonstrating her readiness and determination in every match.

The judo tournament at the Paris Olympics has already delivered unforgettable moments and upsets, with the competition intensifying as the top contenders battle for Olympic glory.