JO 2024: The disappointment of Japanese Uta Abe, the defending champion and favorite for gold

 

Reigning Olympic champion in the -52 kg category, Uta Abe was eliminated in her second fight this Sunday at the Paris Olympics. The Japanese athlete, in tears, took several minutes to leave the tatami.

At 11:13 this Sunday, an earthquake metaphorically shook the Arena Champ-de-Mars, the venue for the judo events. Uta Abe, the reigning champion in the -52 kg category, was defeated in her second match. Her opponent was no ordinary contender; it was Diyora Keldiorova, the world number 1. The Uzbek judoka executed a superb tani-otoshi, resulting in an ippon, just 56 seconds before the end.

The loss was devastating for Abe, who remained crouched on the tatami for a long time, struggling to get up. Her Japanese coach had to assist her in standing and walking. Despite the defeat, the four-time world champion received tremendous support from the crowd, who cheered her on with chants of "Uta, Uta!" and a thunderous ovation.

Eliminated before the quarter-finals, Abe will not be able to claim a medal. The Tokyo Olympic champion was not seeded at these Paris Games (ranked 9th when the top 8 are seeded), having chosen to prepare away from international competitions (she only participated in and won the Turkish Grand Slam in March). This strategy backfired, as she faced a formidable opponent early on. Despite this, she had started the day impressively, defeating Canadian Kelly Deguchi in just 57 seconds.

The path is now clear for Bouchard

This presents a unique opportunity for Amandine Buchard, who was defeated by Uta Abe in the -52 kg final in 2021 and couldn't capitalize on Abe's absence at the World Championships last May in Abu Dhabi, where she finished third. Abe's elimination, who Bouchard could have faced in the semi-finals this Sunday, opens the door for Buchard. She seized her chance by defeating Cypriot Sofia Asvesta with an ippon in her first fight, shortly after the shocking loss of the Japanese champion.

Uta Abe's last defeat was in the mixed team quarter-finals against Germany's Theresa Stoll at the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021. Her last individual loss was in November 2019, in the final of the Osaka Grand Slam, where Amandine Buchard beat her in the golden score after 7'36'' of combat.

This Sunday, a dejected Uta Abe did not stop in the mixed zone to speak with the media. In Tokyo, she had relished winning gold on the same day as her brother Hifumi (-66 kg). He had not yet started his tournament in Paris when she was knocked out.