This was an all-French final, a perfect way for France Judo to complete the women’s categories in Paris. Julia Tolofua and Romane Dicko know each other well but that didn’t stop them delivering an open and positive contest, attacks from both, energy from both. However, as Tolofua mounted yet another attack, hooking on to Dicko’s outside leg, her support leg gave way and she had to concede the fight.
In true judo spirit, Dicko’s only thought was for her teammate and she went straight to her aid. The crowd also applauded respectfully in support of both Dicko, the new Paris champion, and Tolofua who had given such a great account of herself throughout the day.
In the second of two all-French medal contest of this category (but not the last), Celia Cancan and Lea Fontaine battled for bronze. The customary cheers from the Bercy crowd remained loud, mirroring the waves of attack on the tatami. In the end though, there was no spectacular finish, a contest completed via penalties, in Fontaine’s favour.
On the mat next door, Mao Arai (JPN) and world number one, teenager Hyeonji Lee worked hard for the second bronze medal. It was anyone’s guess which way it would go but a minute into golden score Arai made the decision, throwing Lee with a seoi-otoshi for waza-ari. Arai had her Paris medal!