It was an incredibly close contest and both athletes picked up penalties, two apiece. Then in a ne-waza exchange, Deketer crawled out of the contest area to avoid engaging, an action which is against the rules. She was disappointed to receive her third shido, giving the gold to Haruka Kaju. The 24-year old Japanese judoka won in Tokyo in December and has now won in Paris having no previous reference internationally. She also cements the Japanese team at the top of the medal table for day one.
In the first bronze medal contest, double junior world champion Melkia Auchecorne (FRA), author of an impressive preliminary phase in the Accor Arena, faced Danno of Japan, the judoka who took not one but two Olympic champions out of the gold medal race of day one in Paris. The bronze medal was not to be hers though as Auchecorne, buoyed by the crowd, was able to solve every challenge posed by the Japanese athlete. She eventually won on penalties, sending her to her first grands slam podium.
In the second bronze medal contest the 2021 -57 kg Olympic champion Nora Gjakova (KOS) fought 2024 world champion at -63 kg Joanne Van Lieshout (NED), an interesting match-up; perhaps the result would not be guessed easily. Although there were several attacks which came close to being scored, none were and so the golden score period was needed to decide the winner. After 2 and a half minutes of extra time, Van Lieshout received her third penalty and the bronze medal was sent to Kosovo. Gjhakova’s decision to fight in a new category here was not misplaced!
Final (-63 kg)
Bronze Medal Fights (-63 kg)
