Tokyo 2020 – Judo: the French judo team in the semi-finals of the mixed event thanks to Margaux Pinot

She was heroic. At the end of the effort, Margaux Pinot reported the last point to France to send the Blues from the mixed event to the semi-finals. Manhandled by a valiant Israel team, the tricolor judokas won by the golden score (4-3), but came very close to elimination.

Before that, Margaux Pinot had yet fallen in her fight against Gili Sharir, already at the end of the suspense. Defeated after two penalties conceded, the Frenchwoman in -70kg offered the second point to the Israelis, who opened the scoring thanks to Timna Nelson Levy, victorious over Sarah Léonie Cysique in -57kg. The first two men’s fights gave the Blues one point thanks to Guillaume Chaine (-70kg), but conceded a new one following the express defeat of Axel Clerget in -90kg. With their backs to the wall and led 3-1, the French were able to rely on their leaders.

Dicko and Riner as bosses, Pinot at the end of the suspense

Both bronze medalists the day before, Romane Dicko and Teddy Riner did not tremble and did not make details to equalize. Easy winners in ippon against Herschko and Sasson, the two members of PSG Judo allowed the Blues to return to 3-3, and wait for the verdict of the draw. The latter sent Margaux Pinot for a new fight, which she wanted to turn into a revenge. After two penalties on each side, intense fatigue and another extended fight, the Frenchwoman ended up bending the Israeli and bringing back; at the height of the tension, the victorious point in France.

In the semi-finals from 10 am, the Blues will face the Netherlands, and should be able to count on the flag bearer Clarisse Agbegnenou this time. There is no longer any question of ensuring for the Blues now, everything must be done to secure a place in the final in this last event of the sport which has been successful for the French so far.