Haruka Funakubo Triumphs in Women's Judo -57 kg Elimination Round

In an electrifying encounter at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Haruka Funakubo of Japan faced off against Italy's Veronica Toniolo in the Women's -57 kg Elimination Round of 32 held at the Champ-de-Mars Arena. The match was a testament to the skill and determination of both athletes.

The contest began at 10:24 AM local time and lasted for 4 minutes and 23 seconds, culminating in a thrilling finish. Funakubo, competing in a white judogi, managed to secure a victory with a Waza-ari score after executing a beautiful O-soto-gari technique, showcasing her technical prowess. This decisive moment occurred at 4 minutes and 23 seconds into the match, leading to her progression to the next round.

Funakubo entered the match ranked 6th in the world and had previously claimed second place at the Tashkent World Championships in 2022. In contrast, Toniolo, competing in a blue judogi and ranked 12th globally, had achieved victory at the World Championships Cadets in 2019, where she secured first place.

The match was officiated by referee Vladimer Nutsubidze from Georgia, ensuring that the competition adhered to Olympic standards. Funakubo's victory allowed her to advance to the next phase of the competition, while Toniolo would be eliminated from the tournament.

This match not only highlighted Funakubo's skill but also her potential to contend for a medal as the competition progresses. With her impressive performance, she has set her sights firmly on achieving Olympic glory in Paris 2024.