Tara Babulfath vs Natsumi Tsunoda: Women's -48 kg Judo Semifinal Highlights

On July 27, 2024, the Women's -48 kg Semifinal at the Paris Olympics took place at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, showcasing two exceptional athletes: Tara Babulfath from Sweden and Natsumi Tsunoda from Japan. This match was highly anticipated, given Babulfath's impressive ranking of 18th in the world and her recent victory at the Baku Grand Slam 2024, where she secured 1st place. Meanwhile, Tsunoda, with a world rank of 4th, had previously claimed the title at the World Judo Championships Seniors in Hungary in 2021.

As the match unfolded, both athletes displayed remarkable skill and resilience. The contest began with a series of penalties, where Babulfath received a penalty at 1:30 minutes into the match, followed by Tsunoda at 2:25 minutes. The fight continued with both competitors trying to outmaneuver each other, resulting in several more penalties. Notably, Babulfath accumulated a total of three penalties throughout the match.

The match culminated in a dramatic finish with a golden score, where Tsunoda emerged victorious after 6 minutes and 55 seconds of action. The final score reflected Tsunoda's strategic advantage, as she secured her place in the final by defeating Babulfath with a score of 10 points to 0. This exciting semifinal not only showcased the intensity of Olympic judo but also highlighted the sportsmanship and determination of both athletes.

Tsunoda will now advance to the finals, representing Japan in the quest for Olympic gold, while Babulfath, despite her loss, has proven herself to be a formidable competitor on the international judo stage.