top of page

Olympics-Judo-Canada's Deguchi and Heydarov of Azerbaijan win gold

Writer's picture: News Agency News Agency

PARIS - Christa Deguchi won the women's under 57kg gold to hand Canada its first ever Olympic judo title on Monday before Hidayat Heydarov of Azerbaijan disappointed a partisan crowd by triumphing in the men's under 73kg final at the Paris Games.


Reigning world champion Heydarov edged French underdog Joan-Benjamin Gaba with a golden score ippon in a marathon final that lasted nine minutes and 24 seconds at Champ-de-Mars Arena.


Heydarov, who earned Azerbaijan its first gold medal of the Games, tried multiple times to catch his breath as the bout wore on and planted a kiss on his opponent's forehead after celebrating victory.


"He did everything to win, I just wanted to show him my respect," said the Kazakhstan-born 27-year-old.


Heydarov, who has now won the Olympic, world and European titles in the space of four months, also announced that he would defend his title in Los Angeles in 2028.


Gaba, ranked 35th in the world and competing in his first Olympics, surprised everyone by fighting his way into the final after defeating London 2012 under-66kg gold medallist Lasha Shavdatuashvili in the round of 32.


After he was finally bowled over by Heydarov, Gaba shared a moment with his family, hugging his brother for a while.


"I have a lot of respect for my opponent in the final, he is very strong and I congratulate him for his victory but I am going back to work in order to win gold in Los Angeles," said Gaba.


France is still waiting for a first gold medal in the Paris judo competition.


Sarah-Leonie Cysique added a bronze medal to the host nation's haul of five medals at Champ-de-Mars Arena after losing to Deguchi in the semi-final.


In the final, Deguchi took out Huh Mi-mi after the South Korean was penalised for a third time.


Deguchi, the 2019 world champion, failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics after losing in the semi-finals at the 2021 World Championships.


"Missing Tokyo, these three years felt so long ... I am very happy to bring back the medal and to be honest, to begin with, any colour was fine but winning the gold is very special," said the 28-year-old.


Huh and Canadian Deguchi were both born in Japan. Deguchi, whose mother is Japanese, competed for Japan until 2014, while Huh made the decision to compete for South Korea following the wish of her late grandmother, who was part of Japan's large Korean community.


"She has always been important to me, so I personally believed in her and I really looked up to her and that’s why I chose to be a Korean national," Huh later told a press conference.


Japan was well represented on the podium as Haruka Funakubo claimed the bronze medal in the class, the 100th medal won by the country in Olympic judo.


Her compatriot Soichi Hashimoto later won another bronze for Japan in the men's under 73kg class. Osmanov Adil of Moldova won the other bronze medal final.

Comments


Top Stories

Advertise Now (1).png
World News | Amaravati Today |  VISTA Ep - 18 | Congo, Trump, Kenya, Canada, Myanmar, Australia
48:32

World News | Amaravati Today | VISTA Ep - 18 | Congo, Trump, Kenya, Canada, Myanmar, Australia

1. Congo's army and Burundian allies slow M23 rebel's southern march 2. Trump: Nothing Canada, Mexico or China can do to delay Feb 1 tariffs 3. Kenya's wave of deadly violence spurs women to fight back 4. US restricts helicopter flights after Washington crash, 'black boxes' recovered 5. Environmental workers race to clear toxic debris left by LA fires 6. UK rappers open new supermarket to help their community 'feel seen' 7. Trudeau says Canada would respond to tariffs, warns of tough times to come 8. UNRWA carries on aid work despite Israeli ban, hostilities 9. Explainer-What's happening in Congo and why are M23 rebels fighting? 10. Myanmar junta extends state of emergency to support election preparations 11. Greek farmers fear for crops as Bulgaria water deal expires 12. Millions of Hindus take 'holy dip' a day after fatal stampede 13. Trump FBI nominee Patel questioned on Capitol riot, retribution claims 14. Homegrown veg, cheap substitutes: Japanese get creative to fight soaring food prices 15. Jews in Australia up security, conceal identity after spate of antisemitic attacks 16. Trump says Canada, Mexico tariffs on Saturday may not include oil 17. Olympics-From Games on five continents to digital change, IOC candidates unveil plans 18. Gabbard faces criticism over Russia, Snowden in intelligence confirmation hearing 19. Investigators find black boxes after deadly Washington plane crash, continue search for answers 20. What we know about the Washington D.C. plane crash investigation Amaravati Today delivers real-time updates on global events, featuring live streams, in-depth explainers, factual insights, and expert analysis to keep you informed. #WorldNews #LiveUpdates #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
9.png
Live Streams | Facts | Analysis | Explainers | Breaking News

Get in Touch

Manikondu Pvt Ltd
SY. 130P & 115/1P, ISB Rd
Financial District, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, India 500032
letstalk {at} amaravati (dot) today

Follow us on

  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

© 2024 by Amaravati Today | Privacy Policy | Imprint & Dsiclaimer | CIN: U70200TS2024PTC184435

bottom of page