Luka Mkheidze Dominates in Men -60 kg Quarterfinal at Paris 2024

In an exhilarating Men -60 kg Quarterfinal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Luka Mkheidze of France showcased his exceptional judo skills, defeating Won Jin Kim of South Korea. The match, held on July 27, 2024, at the renowned Champ-de-Mars Arena, was a display of technique and strategy that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

Mkheidze, who previously earned a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, entered the match with a world ranking of 3, weighing in at 59.8 kg. His opponent, Kim, ranked 23rd globally and weighing 59.9 kg, was looking to make his mark in this crucial bout. The contest was set to last 4 minutes, and it began with a strong start from Mkheidze, who quickly executed a Ura-nage technique, scoring a Waza-ari just 13 seconds into the match.

Throughout the contest, Mkheidze maintained control, demonstrating his tactical prowess. Despite facing a couple of penalties during the match, his early lead provided him with the confidence to advance. Kim attempted to counter but struggled against the French judoka's swift movements and superior technique.

As the clock ticked down, Mkheidze secured his victory with another Waza-ari, bringing his total points to 1 while Kim was left without any scores. The match concluded at 12:06 PM local time, confirming Mkheidze's advancement to the semifinals with a result of 1-0.

Referee Akiko Amano from Japan officiated the match, ensuring fair play and adherence to judo's rigorous standards. With this victory, Mkheidze continues to pursue his Olympic dream, aiming for gold in Paris 2024.