Day One of Paris 2024 Paralympic Judo: Thrilling Fights and Historic Wins

The first five judo categories of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games kicked off in spectacular fashion, with an electric atmosphere at the Arena Champ-de-Mars. Thousands of spectators filled the arena from early morning, eager to cheer on the competing judokas. Kazakhstan, Algeria, Ukraine, China, and Uzbekistan all celebrated gold, while Brazil and Türkiye also made strong statements with multiple medals.

J2 -48 kg: Kazakhstan’s Nauatbek Dominates

In the much-anticipated J2 -48 kg final, Akmaral Nauatbek (KAZ) secured gold against France’s Sandrine Martinet, a four-time Paralympic medalist. Despite Martinet's experience and the overwhelming support from the French crowd, Nauatbek proved dominant, scoring a waza-ari before executing flawless groundwork to pin Martinet, clinching the victory with an ippon. Earlier, Martinet had won her semi-final match against China’s Liqing Li, rallying from a waza-ari deficit.

The bronze medals in this category went to Liqing Li (CHN), who quickly won her contest via submission, and Cahide Eke (TUR), who triumphed over Isabell Thal (GER) with an ippon-ko-uchi-gari combination.

J1 -60 kg: Algeria Strikes Gold

Algeria’s Abdelkader Bouamer captured the gold in the J1 -60 kg division, defeating Iran’s Seyed Meysam Banitava Khoram Arabi in a tense final. Bouamer managed to score a decisive waza-ari and held off a strong challenge from the Iranian, securing Algeria's first judo gold of the Games.

In the bronze medal matches, Kamil Parmar (IND) wowed the crowd with a makikomi throw for ippon, earning him a place on the podium. Marcos Dennis Blanco (VEN) also claimed bronze with a commanding performance over Junaedi (INA).

J1 -57 kg: Yijie Shi’s Rapid Triumph

China’s Yijie Shi wasted no time in the J1 -57 kg final, defeating Liana Mutia (USA) in just seconds. Shi’s left-handed shoulder throw scored an immediate waza-ari, and moments later, she replicated the move for an ippon, securing gold with authority.

In the bronze medal contests, Anzhela Havrysiuk (UKR) pinned her Uzbek opponent Uljon Amrieva to claim bronze, while Paula Karina Gomez (ARG) edged out Priscilla Gagne (CAN) in a hard-fought battle that went to golden score. A third shido against Gagne gave Gomez the victory.

J2 -60 kg: Uzbekistan Dominates

Uzbekistan’s Sherzod Namozov, the top seed in the J2 -60 kg category, lived up to expectations by taking gold against Zurab Zurabiani (GEO). Namozov secured an early waza-ari and managed the remainder of the match effectively to claim victory.

In the bronze medal bouts, Ishak Ouldkouider (ALG) brought home a second medal for Algeria, submitting Thiego Marques Da Silva (BRA) for ippon. Ukraine’s Davyd Khorava also won bronze, defeating Minjae Lee (KOR) in a dominant display.

J1 -48 kg: Ukraine’s Nikolaychyk Secures First Gold

Ukraine’s Nataliya Nikolaychyk delivered a stellar performance in the J1 -48 kg category, defeating Japan’s Shizuka Hangai in the final. After scoring an early waza-ari with a shoulder throw, Nikolaychyk sealed the victory with a powerful o-soto-gari, claiming Ukraine's first gold of the Games.

In the bronze medal matches, Türkiye’s Ecem Tasin Cavdar secured a decisive win over Emmanouela Massourou (GRE) with two waza-ari scores, while Rosicleide Silva de Andrade (BRA) earned the second bronze after countering Rocio Ledesma Dure (ARG) for ippon.

The first day of Paralympic judo at Paris 2024 delivered thrilling contests, surprise upsets, and heartwarming victories.  As the tournament continues, the excitement is sure to build, with many more judokas hoping to claim their place on the podium.