Matteo Piras Dominates in Men’s -66 kg Judo Elimination Round

In the Men’s -66 kg Elimination Round of 32 held at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, Italian judoka Matteo Piras showcased his impressive skills and determination. Piras faced off against Juan Postigos from Peru on July 28, 2024, in a match that lasted just 2 minutes and 42 seconds.

The contest began with Piras quickly establishing his dominance, scoring a WAZA-ARI with a swift movement, earning him points early in the match. As the match progressed, Piras continued to apply pressure, culminating in an Ippon victory at the 2:42 mark, leading to his advancement in the tournament.

Piras, who has a current world ranking of 10, previously placed 5th at the Abu Dhabi World Championships in 2024. His opponent, Postigos, ranked 47th in the world, had shown promise with a 2nd place finish at the Panamerican Championships in 2019, but was unable to overcome Piras’s skill and strategy in this bout.

The match, refereed by Ofer Ben Zvi from Israel, was filled with excitement as Piras executed several tactical maneuvers that left Postigos struggling to respond. The crowd at the Champ-de-Mars Arena witnessed a display of athleticism and sportsmanship as both competitors fought valiantly, but it was Piras who emerged victorious, securing his spot in the next round of the competition.

This thrilling encounter not only adds to Piras's accolades but also sets the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating journey through the judo events at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Fans and supporters of Piras are eagerly looking forward to his next match, hoping he can continue this momentum toward a medal finish.