France wins mixed team gold as judo competition wraps up at Tokyo Olympics (updated)
TOKYO, July 31– France claimed a surprising 4-1 victory over hosts Japan in judo mixed team final at Tokyo Olympics on Saturday. The first round of the final saw Chizuru Arai of Japan lose to Clarisse Agbegnenou by an ippon in women’s -70 kg. “To win here in the country of the judo during the Olympic Games in Nippon Budokan was just amazing for me, for this team, for the…
TOKYO, July 31 (Xinhua) — France claimed a surprising 4-1 victory over hosts Japan in judo mixed team final at Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.
Judo mixed team is a newly-added event at Tokyo 2020 and applies a best-of-seven-set format. Japan has won all four world titles in the mixed team since this event was added to the World Championships in 2017.
The first round of the final saw Chizuru Arai of Japan lose to Clarisse Agbegnenou by an ippon in women’s -70kg. Then Shoichiro Mukai was defeated by Axel Clerget in men’s -90kg. Akira Sone bounced back by beating Romane Dicko in women’s +70kg, but in men’s +90kg, Aaron Wolf suffered a waza-ari by Teddy Riner in golden score. Sarah Leonie Cysique sealed victory for France in women’s -57kg by beating Tsukasa Yoshida.
Germany and Israel shared bronze medals.
“To win here in the country of the judo during the Olympic Games in Nippon Budokan was just amazing for me, for this team, for the people of France,” said Riner.
“I was not satisfied. With these team members, we were able to compete until the end. In that way, I felt a sense of fulfilment, but I was not fully satisfied. I’d like to take on this challenge and make revenge at the next Olympic Games in Paris,” said men’s -100kg champion Wolf.
Speaking of Japan’s judo success at Tokyo 2020, Wolf said it was a great accomplishment. “I thought each and every one of us tried to get the gold medal. Some of us succeeded, some of us did not, but we all wanted that gold medal.”
After the judo competition wrapped up on Saturday, Japan collected nine of 15 golds, two silvers and one bronze, topping the medal standings in the sport. France ranked second with two golds, three silvers and three bronzes. Kosovo placed third with two golds. Georgia and Czech Republic won one gold each. Enditem
