Angelika Szymanska vs Prisca Awiti Alcaraz: A Thrilling Clash in Women's Judo Elimination Round

On July 30, 2024, the Paris 2024 Olympics witnessed an exciting matchup in the Women's -63 kg Elimination Round of 16 at the iconic Champ-de-Mars Arena. The bout featured two skilled judokas: Angelika Szymanska from Poland and Prisca Awiti Alcaraz from Mexico.

Angelika Szymanska, ranked 4th in the world, entered the contest with impressive credentials, having secured 2nd place at the Abu Dhabi World Championships 2024. Competing in the white gi, Szymanska weighed in at 62.7 kg.

On the other side of the mat was Prisca Awiti Alcaraz, ranked 18th globally, who showcased her talent by finishing 5th at the World Judo Championships - Doha 2023. Alcaraz donned the blue gi and weighed slightly more at 62.8 kg.

The match commenced at 11:30 AM local time and unfolded with intense action. Just 38 seconds into the bout, Alcaraz scored a WAZ, demonstrating her skill with a kata-guruma technique. However, Szymanska received a penalty for a minor infringement at 1:15 into the match.

As the contest progressed, Szymanska fought hard but was unable to secure a point, ultimately losing the match with a final score of 1-0 in favor of Awiti Alcaraz. This victory allowed Alcaraz to advance to the quarter-finals, showcasing the competitive spirit and talent present in women's judo at the Olympics.

The match was officiated by Hungarian referee Balazs Gosztonyi, who ensured that the rules of judo were upheld throughout the contest. The bout concluded at 11:36 AM, marking a significant moment in the competition as both athletes displayed remarkable skill and determination on the mat.