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Japan's Natsumi Tsunoda, Kazakhstan's Yeldos Smetov Shine in Olympic Judo Openers

Posted : 27 July 2024

Natsumi Tsunoda gave Japan a strong start in Olympic judo by winning the women's under-48kg gold on Saturday as the competition kicked off in Paris with the two lightest weight classes. In the men's under-60kg final, Kazakhstan's Yeldos Smetov defeated French contender Luka Mkheidze, despite the passionate support of a packed crowd at the temporary arena on the Champs de Mars. Japan has historically dominated Olympic judo, leading the medals table in 11 of the 14 Games where judo has been featured.

 

Tsunoda, who dropped a weight class after missing the Tokyo Olympics due to injury, secured gold in her first Olympics with just over a minute left in her final match. She executed a move that flipped Baasankhuu Bavuudorj of Mongolia head-first onto the mat, earning a waza-ari score. The 31-year-old Tsunoda held her opponent firmly around the neck as the final gong sounded, securing her victory.

 

In the men's final, Smetov, who previously won silver in Rio 2016, upgraded to gold by scoring the only point of the match against Mkheidze. The arena, built around the equestrian statue of General Joseph Joffre, echoed with French fans chanting "Allez Luka" and singing the Marseillaise. Despite their efforts, the small contingent of Kazakh fans celebrated Smetov's victory. The judo competition also awarded bronze medals to Shirine Boukli for France, Tara Babulfath for Sweden in the women's category, and Ryuju Nagayama of Japan and Francisco Garrigos of Spain in the men's category.

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