Michaela Polleres Claims Bronze in Women's -70 kg Judo at Paris 2024

On July 31, 2024, the Women -70 kg Contest for Bronze Medal A took place at the Champ-de-Mars Arena during the Paris 2024 Olympics. This highly anticipated match saw Austria's Michaela Polleres go head-to-head with Spain's Ai Tsunoda Roustant in a fierce battle for the bronze medal.

Polleres, ranked 3rd in the world, faced off against the 10th-ranked Tsunoda Roustant. Polleres, wearing blue, weighed in at 69.7 kg, while her opponent, Tsunoda Roustant, donned white and weighed 69.6 kg.

The contest began with both athletes demonstrating their skills and agility. The referee, Mariano dos Santos from Brazil, officiated the match, ensuring fair play throughout.

The match took an exciting turn when Polleres was awarded a penalty at 1:18, putting her on the defensive. However, she quickly regained her focus and executed a brilliant Sumi-gaeshi technique just before the match concluded at 1:47, securing an Ippon victory and thus the bronze medal.

Polleres's journey to the bronze medal is noteworthy; she previously clinched first place at the Jerusalem Masters 2022 and entered the match with high expectations. In contrast, Tsunoda Roustant had a strong showing in the Paris Grand Slam 2023, where she also secured first place.

This match not only highlighted the intense competition in women's judo but also showcased the skill and determination of both athletes. Polleres's victory adds another medal to Austria's tally, while Tsunoda Roustant leaves the arena with invaluable experience for future competitions.