Anriquelis Barrios vs Amina Belkadi: Thrilling Clash in Women's -63kg Judo at Paris 2024

On July 30, 2024, the Women's -63 kg Elimination Round of 32 took place at the prestigious Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris, where two formidable judokas, Anriquelis Barrios from Venezuela and Amina Belkadi from Algeria, clashed in an electrifying match.

The contest began at 10:54 AM local time and reached its thrilling climax in just over five minutes. Anriquelis Barrios, competing in white, entered the match ranked 31st in the world, having previously secured a commendable 5th place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. On the other hand, Amina Belkadi, donned in blue, was ranked 20th in the world and had recently triumphed at the African Championships in 2019.

As the match unfolded, the athletes exhibited exceptional technique and resilience. Both competitors received penalties early on, with Barrios receiving her first penalty at 2:59, followed by Belkadi at 3:54. The match intensified as the time ticked down.

The pivotal moment came at 5:27, when Amina Belkadi executed a stunning Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi technique, earning a Waza-ari point, which ultimately decided the contest. Despite Barrios's best efforts and her tactical know-how, she was unable to turn the tide in her favor, succumbing to a loss with a final score indicating she achieved only one point against Belkadi's two.

This match was officiated by referee Balazs Gosztonyi from Hungary, and concluded with Belkadi advancing to the next round, demonstrating her prowess and strategic acumen in judo.

The Women's -63 kg category continues to showcase the incredible talent and determination of female judokas, and this match between Barrios and Belkadi is a testament to the fierce competition present at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Fans eagerly await the next stages of this exciting event as athletes vie for Olympic glory!