As the reigning world champion, Cologne judoka Anna-Maria Wagner will probably represent Germany at the Olympic Games in Paris – this seems almost certain after her gold triumph at the Judo World Championships in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
The burden that was lifted from Wagner after winning the final in the 78-kilo limit against the Italian Alice Bellandi became apparent at the award ceremony: with tears in her eyes, she was crowned world champion for the second time in her career after 2021.
However, she had not actually arrived with the specific goal of winning the title – although many people believed she could do it.
Women’s light heavyweight: Cologne duel for Olympic starting place
Rather, the World Cup was dominated by the fight for the German Olympic starting place. In the light heavyweight division she had to assert herself against her Cologne competitor Alina Böhm, who, as a two-time European champion and direct pursuer, could have contested her ticket to Paris. One thing was clear: only one German athlete would qualify for the Olympics. But after Böhm was eliminated in the preliminary round, it became increasingly likely that Wagner would win the race.
The strangler to victory: The Italian Alice Bellandi has no chance against Anna-Maria Wagner’s ground action.
Copyright: AFP
The sports soldier did not allow herself to be dissuaded from her line, despite the joyful realization she had in the meantime. Even before the World Cup, she announced: “I just want to show off my judo and finish well in the last tournament before the Olympic Games – whether I qualify or not.” She always succeeded. On her way to the final she defeated, among others, Shori Hamada, the Olympic champion from Tokyo. So far she has always been at a disadvantage against the Japanese, but on this day Wagner dominated the fight not only physically but also tactically and prevailed in extra time.
Back then, not many people expected that I could win, but now everyone knew it.
Judoka Anna-Maria Wagner
She also kept her nerve in the final fight. After an otherwise even encounter, she caught the Italian with a choking technique after just under a minute in the golden score. Bellandi had to give up, Wagner was world champion – again.
The emotional world is still completely different than when she won her first title. She said this in the subsequent interview with the World Judo Association: “Back then, not many people expected that I could win, but today everyone knew it.” After the two-year, often grueling qualification phase and a perfect finish, she had grown, especially mentally. So Paris could come, she was ready.
2024-05-22 19:35:10
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