Inbar Lanir Triumphs Over Anna-Maria Wagner in Women's Judo -78 kg Semifinal

In one of the most thrilling encounters of the Judo events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Israel's Inbar Lanir faced off against Germany's Anna-Maria Wagner in the Women -78 kg Semifinal of Table B. The match took place on August 1, 2024, at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, where Lanir showcased her skills and determination to secure a victory.

The contest began at 16:36 local time and lasted 1 minute and 46 seconds. Both athletes entered the match with impressive credentials; Wagner ranked second in the world, and Lanir was not far behind at third. As the match unfolded, it became clear that Lanir was ready to seize this opportunity.

Lanir, competing in the blue judogi, executed a successful Ura-nage technique, which earned her an Ippon—an instant victory in Judo. This decisive moment came at 1:46 into the match, marking the end of Wagner's campaign at these games. Wagner, who weighed in at 77.6 kg, had previously secured a first-place finish at the World Judo Championships in Hungary in 2021. However, on this day, she was unable to overcome Lanir's skillful performance, ultimately taking a loss in the semifinal round.

With this victory, Inbar Lanir, who weighed in at 77.7 kg, not only advanced to the final but also added to her already impressive record, having claimed first place at the World Judo Championships in Doha in 2023. The match concluded at 16:42 local time, with the officials, including referee Akiko Amano from Japan, ensuring fair play throughout the bout.

This semifinal clash highlighted the competitive spirit of women's judo and set the stage for an exciting final where Lanir will aim for Olympic glory. Fans worldwide are now eagerly awaiting to see if she can convert this semifinal success into a gold medal performance in the finals.