Soichi Hashimoto Clinches Bronze in Men’s -73 kg Judo at Paris 2024

In a thrilling contest for the bronze medal in the Men -73 kg Judo event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Japan's Soichi Hashimoto emerged victorious against Kosovo's Akil Gjakova. The match took place on July 29, 2024, at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, where Hashimoto showcased his exceptional skill and technique.

The contest began with intense action, and Hashimoto quickly gained the upper hand, executing a stunning Seoi-nage throw just eight seconds into the match, which earned him a Waza-ari score. Despite facing some penalties, Hashimoto maintained his composure and strategy. Gjakova, ranked 17th in the world, fought valiantly but was unable to match Hashimoto's experience and precision.

Over the course of the four-minute bout, Hashimoto's dominance was evident as he scored a total of two points through successful techniques and controlled the pace of the contest. In contrast, Gjakova struggled to secure any points, culminating in a final score of 1-0 in favor of Hashimoto.

This victory marks a significant achievement for Hashimoto, who has previously secured gold at the World Senior Championship in Budapest 2017. With this win, he not only adds an Olympic bronze medal to his accolades but also solidifies his status as one of the elite judokas in the world. The match was officiated by Romanian referee Ioana Babiuc, ensuring a fair competition.

As the audience erupted in applause, Hashimoto celebrated his hard-fought victory, demonstrating the spirit and determination that define Olympic competition. This bronze medal adds to Japan's impressive judo legacy and sets the stage for even more exciting matches in the upcoming days of the Paris 2024 Games.