Strahinja Buncic vs Gusman Kyrgyzbayev in Men's Judo -66 kg Bronze Medal Match

The Men -66 kg Bronze Medal match in judo at the Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed an electrifying contest between Strahinja Buncic from Serbia and Gusman Kyrgyzbayev from Kazakhstan. Scheduled for July 28, 2024, this match took place at the iconic Champ-de-Mars Arena, capturing the excitement of judo fans worldwide.

Match Overview

The contest began promptly at 16:48 CEST and lasted a thrilling four minutes. Both athletes entered the match with impressive backgrounds; Strahinja Buncic was ranked 30th in the world and had previously secured a second-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in 2022. On the other hand, Gusman Kyrgyzbayev, ranked 26th globally, had a remarkable performance at the World Judo Championships in Hungary in 2021, where he also finished second.

Key Moments

The match began with a flurry of action. Early on, Kyrgyzbayev scored a Waza-ari (a half-point) at 3:45 using the Tani-otoshi technique, showcasing his skill and strategy. Buncic was not far behind, receiving his first penalty at 2:12, indicating the intensity of the contest. As the clock ticked down, Buncic faced additional penalties that impacted his ability to mount a comeback.

As the contest progressed, Kyrgyzbayev maintained a tactical advantage, utilizing his experience and agility to keep Buncic at bay. The match concluded with Kyrgyzbayev emerging victorious, securing the bronze medal with a score of 1 point to Buncic's 0. This victory not only marked a significant achievement for Kyrgyzbayev but also highlighted the competitive spirit of judo at the Olympic level.

Conclusion

The contest for the Bronze Medal A in the Men's -66 kg category was a testament to the skill and tenacity of both athletes. While Gusman Kyrgyzbayev celebrated his bronze medal victory, Strahinja Buncic demonstrated remarkable sportsmanship, representing Serbia with pride at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This match will surely be remembered as one of the highlights of the judo events at this year's Games.