Akira Sone Triumphs in Women's +78 kg Judo Elimination Round

On August 2, 2024, the Women's +78 kg Elimination Round of 32 took place at the prestigious Champ-de-Mars Arena during the Paris Olympic Games. This exciting matchup featured Japan's Akira Sone and Cameroon’s Richelle Anita Soppi Mbella. Sone, ranked 18th in the world and a gold medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, came into this elimination round with high expectations and delivered a stellar performance.

The contest started at 10:54 AM local time, with the referee Veli-Matti Karinkanta from Finland overseeing the match. Both athletes were eager to advance, but it was Sone who quickly established dominance. The match lasted for 3 minutes and 26 seconds, and Sone displayed a combination of skill and strategy that left Soppi Mbella struggling.

The turning point came when Sone scored a Waza-ari, a significant point in judo, at the 3:16 mark, which reflected her tactical prowess and agility. Ultimately, Sone sealed her victory with an Ippon, bringing the match to a decisive close with a score of 10 points to Soppi Mbella's 0.

Soppi Mbella, despite her loss, had previously shown her capabilities by winning first place at the African Senior Championships in 2024. However, in this match against the experienced Sone, she was unable to score any points, finishing her Olympic journey in this elimination round.

As the crowd erupted in applause for the athletes, Sone advanced to the next phase of the competition, showcasing the highest levels of judo skill and determination. Her journey continues as she aims for Olympic gold once again, while Soppi Mbella will undoubtedly return stronger in future competitions. The event highlighted the intense competition in women's judo and set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating tournament ahead at the Paris 2024 Olympics.