After a first amazing day yesterday, from a technical point of view as well as from the atmosphere point of view in a Carioca Arena 2, which saw the coronation of two magnificent Olympic champions and the complete renewal of the podiums from the London Games in 2012, two new categories have been engaged today in Rio: Women's -52kg and Men’s -66kg.
Undoubtedly, Paula PARETO (ARG) and Beslan MUDRANOV (RUS) had a restless and colourful night. Despite the fatigue accumulated throughout their way to Olympic gold, the two heroes, for sure, passed the film of the day that propelled them on the top of the world a hundred times in their minds.
Tonight, there will be two new athletes who will experience the Olympic joy while others will come away disappointed and sad. This is the law of sport, as the IJF President, Mr. Marius Vizer, recalled during the draw: "All judoka present here in Rio are already winners, but unfortunately only a few of them will be champions."
From the first moment, the first signs of a second day placed under the sign of great judo, were noticeable. In front of a crowd of connoisseurs, encouraging all fighters and singing together when a Brazilian athlete would enter the arena, the fights went one after another on a frantic pace, world and Olympic medallists committed to deliver at every match with real battles against opponents who also want their share of the Olympic stage. Throughout the preliminary rounds, the confirmation of some favourites were followed by the surprising defeats of others.
Women’s -52kg Highlights
Kosovo flagbearer Majlinda KELMENDI (KOS) has safely progressed to the -52kg semi-final as she looks on course to win her country’s first ever Olympic medal. Double world champion KELMENDI went some way to atoning for her London 2012 defeat to Christianne LEGENTIL (MRI) by narrowly defeating the Mauritius fighter on shido penalties 1:3.
World Champion NAKAMURA Misato (JPN) has won both of her opening contests by the maximum score as ADIYASAMBUU Tsolmon (MGL) and Natalia KUZIUTINA (RUS) were both beaten by the Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist.
Two-time World Judo Masters bronze medallist Odette GIUFFRIDA (ITA) has grinded out wins over Mareen KRAEH (GER) and top seed CHITU Andreea (ROU) by yuko scores as Italy are playing a starring role on day two at the Carioca Arena 2.
Baku Grand Slam bronze medallist MA Yingnan (CHN) has finished the morning session unbeaten after defeating Joana RAMOS (POR) by ippon and upsetting three-time world medallist Erika MIRANDA (BRA) by a waza-ari.
Semi-finals
GIUFFRIDA, Odette (ITA) vs. MA, Yingnan (CHN)
KELMENDI, Majlinda (KOS) vs. NAKAMURA, Misato (JPN)
Repechage
CHITU, Andreea (ROU) vs. MIRANDA, Erika (BRA)
LEGENTIL, Christianne (MRI) vs. KUZIUTINA, Natalia (RUS)
Men's -66kg Highlights
World champion AN Baul (KOR) has looked at home on the Olympic stage as he has surged into the semi-finals with convincing and thrilling wins over Zhansay SMAGULOV (KAZ), Kilian LE BLOUCH (FRA) and double Olympic bronze medallist Rishod SOBIROV (UZB).
AN will face three-time world champion EBINUMA Masashi (JPN) in a mouthwatering -66kg semi-final after the Japanese ace defeated Charles CHIBANA (BRA), MA Duanbin (CHN) and surprise package Wander MATEO (DOM) all by ippon.
On the other half of the draw the shocks have been in rich supply as anticipated medal contender DAVAADORJ Tumurkhuleg (MGL) fell to Fabio BASILE (ITA) in the quarter-finals. BASILE, 21, who secured his qualification at the end of the cycle in May, has been a revelation after winning all three of his contests by ippon. The young Italian defeated Sebastian SEIDL (GER), Nijat SHIKHALIZADA (AZE) and Mongolian hope DAVAADORJ to book a place in the semi-final against Adrian GOMBOC (SLO).
Budapest Grand Prix winner GOMBOC, 21, has matched the searing face on his last-four opponent as he has defeated Vazha MARGVELASHVILI (GEO), Mathews PUNZA (ZAM) and Antoine BOUCHARD (CAN) all by ippon. It was the Canadian who eliminated Mikhail PULIAEV (RUS) in golden score by a yuko from a sumi-gaeshi while Zambia’s Opening Ceremony flagbearer PUNZA – who has honed his skills at the IJF Training Centre in Uzbekistan - produced one of the moments of the competition so far by defiantly holding down World Judo Masters bronze medallist Golan POLLACK (ISR) for ippon.
Semi-finals
AN, Baul (KOR) vs. EBINUMA, Masashi (JPN)
BASILE, Fabio (ITA) vs. GOMBOC, Adrian (SLO)
Repechage
SOBIROV, Rishod (UZB) vs. MATEO, Wander (DOM)
DAVAADORJ, Tumurkhuleg (MGL) vs. BOUCHARD, Antoine (CAN)
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