Historic gold medal for Canadian Christa Deguchi

Christa Deguchi can finally add an Olympic gold to her two world championship titles, marking a historic first gold medal for Canada in judo. Through tears, Deguchi expressed her joy: “It was so long to get here. I started when I was three, and the Olympics was always my dream. Missing Tokyo, these three years felt so long, especially with the intense qualification period. I am very happy to bring back the medal, and to be honest, to begin with, any color was fine, but winning the gold is very special.”

The final was long and difficult, perhaps not the spectacular finish anticipated, but it was nail-biting and tense, with no clear winner until the end. When Deguchi attacked, her moves were strong but infrequent. When Mimi Huh of Korea attacked, her efforts were frequent but less well-prepared. Ultimately, it was a third penalty for the Korean for a false attack that secured the gold medal for Canada, a first-ever Olympic gold in judo. Deguchi has waited a very long time for the chance to wear the Olympic rings.

In the bronze medal matches, Sarah Leonie Cysique of France delivered a stellar performance, giving the Georgian judoka absolutely no chance. Cysique countered in the first exchange for waza-ari and shortly after threw with exquisite footwork to score ippon. This victory earned her a second Olympic medal, a bronze, at home in Paris. Cysique clearly woke up on day three of this Olympic judo tournament determined to be a double Olympic medallist.

The first semifinal match between Deguchi and Cysique was a highly tactical encounter, with neither player willing to risk a big attack. The match extended deep into Golden Score, with both judokas holding two shidos each as they approached the fifth minute. Deguchi attempted a tomoe-nage, which Cysique easily countered. In the ensuing newaza exchange, Cysique mistakenly slipped her fingers inside Deguchi's sleeve, earning her a third shido and sending Deguchi to the final.

The second semifinal pitted Silva against Huh. The Brazilian started strong, but her energy waned as the match wore on. Nearing the two-minute mark in Golden Score, Silva appeared out of steam. Huh, despite not being known for her newaza skills, managed to turn and hold Silva down, securing her place in the final against Deguchi, setting up a rematch from the World Championships.

In the first bronze medal match, Funakubo and Silva opted for a cautious, tactical battle. The match stretched deep into Golden Score, with minimal action until around the five-minute mark when Silva attempted a massive soto-makikomi. Unfortunately, she landed on her head during the execution and was disqualified, handing the bronze medal to the Japanese judoka.

The crowd, eager for more excitement after the lengthy first bronze medal match, was not disappointed in the second contest. Home favourite Cysique faced Liparteliani and countered her in the first minute to score a waza-ari. Liparteliani, known for her big throws, attempted another, but Cysique countered again, securing the victory and a bronze medal for the French contingent.

The final was a grudge match for Deguchi, who had lost to Huh by penalties in the recent World Championships. Determined to turn the tables, Deguchi was constantly setting up for big throws, while Huh relied on flopping and dropping to win by penalties. However, as the saying goes, "you live by the sword, you die by the sword." At the two-and-a-half minute mark in Golden Score, Huh's tactic backfired as she was penalized for a flop and drop attack, earning her third shido. Deguchi, at long last, fulfilled her dream of becoming an Olympic champion.