Kayra Ozdemir Triumphs in Women's +78 kg Quarterfinals at the 2024 Olympics

The Women's +78 kg quarterfinals at the 2024 Olympics showcased an intense battle between Turkey's Kayra Ozdemir and Japan's Akira Sone at the Champ-de-Mars Arena on August 2. The match was a display of skill and strategy, culminating in a hard-fought victory for Ozdemir, who used the Kami-shiho-gatame technique to secure a decisive win.

Ozdemir, currently ranked 3rd in the world, entered the match with a recent silver medal performance at the Abu Dhabi World Championships. She weighed in at 115.0 kg and quickly demonstrated her prowess on the mat, executing her moves with precision. The match lasted 5 minutes and 48 seconds, with Ozdemir scoring her first point at 4:00 through a Waza-ari, followed by another point that led to her victory.

On the other hand, Sone, who weighed 109.3 kg and was ranked 18th globally, was the defending champion from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Despite her past accolades, Sone struggled to find her rhythm against Ozdemir's aggressive style and strategic play.

The referee for this quarterfinal was Lubomir Petr from Australia, ensuring a fair match. With this win, Ozdemir advances to the semifinals, bringing hope and excitement to her supporters back in Türkiye. The stage is set for her next challenge as she aims for Olympic glory in Paris!