For this final day of the World Championships in Budapest, the judokas faced each other in mixed team events. A competition that emphasizes gender equity: each national team is made up of 3 men and 3 women.
Since its inception in 2017, this mixed event has always been won by Japan, and this time again, the national team qualified for the final. She again faced the French judokas there, the latter having managed to win 4 to 1 against the Uzbeks.
The Japanese got off to a great start in the fight between Hashimoto Soichi and Joan-Benjamin Gaba. Hashimoto ended up winning thanks to penalty points.
In the second fight, the French Marie Eve Gahie faced Niizoe Saki. Thanks to a brilliant Uchi-Mata, the Japanese managed to win and give her country a 2-0 lead.
The -90kg fight opposed Kenta Nagasawa and Francis Damier. Again, Japan won, with a Nagasawa waza-ari.
4th victory for the Japanese finally, during the fight over 78 kg. Akita Maya defeated Léa Fontaine on penalty points, giving Japan their fourth mixed event title. ” It was my first time at the World Championships, and I was the fourth fighter. The result of my fight could therefore determine the result. There was a lot of pressure, but I won, so I’m very happy“Said Akita Maya after the medal presentation.
The French meanwhile celebrated their silver medal. ” I am really happy, I am reallyproud of my team of course, because they gave everything, ”Enthuses Marie-Eve Gahié after receiving the title. ” It’s a new team, a young team, I’m really proud of them. I’m sure one day in the final we’ll beat the Japanese, I don’t know where, I don’t know when, but I’m sure ! »
Ketelyn Nascimento has become a real heroine for Brazil. By beating Russia’s Anastasia Konkina in the under 57 kg category, she allowed her team to climb to the podium once again to claim the bronze medal.
Another bronze medal for the Uzbek team, which managed to beat the South Korean team. Uzbekistan will also host the next World Championships in 2022.
