Tato Grigalashvili Dominates Men -81 kg Semifinal at 2024 Paris Olympics

In a captivating semifinal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Tato Grigalashvili from Georgia showcased his exceptional judo skills by defeating Joonhwan Lee from South Korea in the Men -81 kg Semifinal of Table B held at the Champ-de-Mars Arena. The match, which took place on July 30, 2024, saw Grigalashvili dominate with a total of two Waza-ari (WAZ) points, while Lee managed to secure one Waza-ari point, ultimately leading to Grigalashvili's victory.

The contest lasted a total of 8 minutes and 7 seconds, with Grigalashvili executing a brilliant Sumi-gaeshi technique that earned him the decisive points. The match was intense, with both athletes displaying remarkable skill and determination. Grigalashvili, who weighed in at 80.7 kg and holds a world ranking of 2, has previously claimed first place at the Tashkent World Championships Senior 2022, further establishing his reputation as a formidable competitor in the judo arena.

Lee, weighing 80.6 kg and ranked 3rd in the world, fought valiantly but ultimately fell short in this high-stakes encounter. Throughout the match, Grigalashvili's agility and tactical prowess allowed him to maintain control, overcoming Lee's defenses effectively.

Refereed by Balazs Gosztonyi from Hungary, the match was filled with moments of tension and excitement, culminating in Grigalashvili's victory that propels him into the final round of the tournament. With this win, Grigalashvili has positioned himself as a strong contender for the gold medal in the Men -81 kg category, and the judo community eagerly awaits his final match.