Takanori Nagase Triumphs in Men's -81 kg Judo Semifinal at Paris 2024

On July 30, 2024, the Men’s -81 kg Semifinal of Table A took place at the illustrious Champ-de-Mars Arena, captivating fans with a riveting showdown between Japan's Takanori Nagase and Italy's Antonio Esposito. The contest commenced at 16:18 local time and concluded just ten minutes later with Nagase emerging victorious after a fierce competition that lasted 2 minutes and 28 seconds.

Nagase, competing in the white judogi, showcased his impressive skills and strategy. He executed a decisive Waza-ari at 1:15 into the match, marking the beginning of his dominance. As the contest progressed, he secured an Ippon at the final moment, sealing his victory with a total score of 10 points. This win not only reflects Nagase's incredible talent but also cements his status as one of the top competitors in his weight category, having previously clinched gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

On the other hand, Esposito, dressed in blue, fought valiantly but was unable to score against Nagase, ending the match without any points. Despite his defeat, Esposito had earlier shown promise by securing first place at the Grand Prix Upper Austria 2024, demonstrating the high level of competition he brings to the mat.

The referee for this high-stakes match was Ofer Ben Zvi from Israel, who ensured the contest was conducted fairly and within the rules of judo. With this victory, Takanori Nagase advances to the final, where he will have a chance to fight for the gold medal and further his legacy in the sport of judo.