Salih Yildiz Dominates in Men’s -60 kg Judo Elimination Round at Paris 2024

The Men’s -60 kg Elimination Round of 16 in Judo at the Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed a thrilling encounter between Salih Yildiz from Türkiye and Ashley McKenzie from Jamaica. Scheduled for July 27, 2024, at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, this match showcased the incredible skill and determination of both athletes.

Salih Yildiz, ranked 10th in the world, faced off against McKenzie, who was ranked 57th. The atmosphere was electric as the two competitors stepped onto Mat 2, with Yildiz wearing a white judogi and McKenzie donning blue. The match began at 11:24 AM local time and resulted in a thrilling finish just four minutes later.

Yildiz demonstrated exceptional technique, securing a Waza-ari point with a Kata-guruma throw at 3:21 into the match, marking a significant lead. He continued to dominate the contest, finishing the match with a total of two scores, one of which was a Waza-ari, while McKenzie failed to score any points. The match concluded with Yildiz moving forward to the quarter-finals after a decisive victory.

Refereeing the match was Jean Claude Djimbi from Gabon, who ensured fair play throughout the encounter. The event ended officially at 11:30 AM, with Yildiz's victory being celebrated by the Turkish contingent in attendance.

This match not only highlights Yildiz's remarkable skills but also sets the stage for his future bouts in the Olympic tournament, raising expectations for his performance in the coming rounds. As the competition unfolds, all eyes will be on this promising athlete from Türkiye as he vies for Olympic glory.