Abylaikhan Zhubanazar vs Attila Ungvari: Thrilling Showdown in Men's Judo -81 kg Elimination Round

The 2024 Olympics witnessed a gripping contest in the Men's -81 kg Judo category on July 30, where Attila Ungvari from Hungary faced off against Abylaikhan Zhubanazar from Kazakhstan in the Elimination Round of 32. The match took place at the prestigious Champ-de-Mars Arena, specifically on Mat 1, starting at 10:12 AM local time.

Zhubanazar, ranked 10th in the world and a silver medalist at the Tbilisi Grand Slam 2023, entered the contest with high hopes but was ultimately unable to secure victory. He was weighed in at 80.8 kg and wore a white judogi. On the other hand, Ungvari, ranked 20th in the world and the champion of the Kazan Grand Slam 2021, weighed in slightly lighter at 80.7 kg and donned a blue judogi.

The match was intense, culminating in a total duration of 5 minutes and 58 seconds. The pivotal moment occurred at 5:57 when Ungvari executed a successful Ko-uchi-gari technique, scoring a Waza-ari, which gave him the decisive edge. Zhubanazar's performance included two penalties, one of which was issued at 4:56, indicating a tough battle against the skilled Hungarian competitor.

The referee for this match was Lubomir Petr from Australia, ensuring the contest adhered to Judo regulations. Despite Zhubanazar's experience and recent success, Ungvari's superior technique and strategy led him to victory, allowing him to progress to the next round of the tournament. This match exemplified the high level of skill and competition present at the Olympic Games, showcasing the very best of Judo athletes from around the globe.