Alice Bellandi Dominates in Women's -78 kg Judo Elimination Round

In the highly anticipated Women's -78 kg Elimination Round of 16 at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Italian judoka Alice Bellandi showcased her incredible skill and determination as she faced off against Brazil's Mayra Aguiar. The match took place at the iconic Champ-de-Mars Arena on August 1, 2024, and it was a battle that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

Bellandi, who holds the prestigious title of world number one, entered the match with a remarkable reputation, having previously secured first place at the Jerusalem Masters 2022. The atmosphere was electric as the two athletes stepped onto Mat 2, ready to compete for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals.

From the outset, Bellandi demonstrated her tactical prowess, utilizing her agile movements to keep Aguiar on the defensive. The match saw its first significant action when Bellandi executed a successful Ko-uchi-makikomi technique, earning her a Waza-ari point at 6:11, showcasing her judo intelligence and physicality. Throughout the contest, she maintained pressure on Aguiar, who is also a decorated athlete, having won gold at the World Senior Championship in Budapest in 2017.

Despite Aguiar's attempts to counter, including penalties and defensive maneuvers, she couldn't match Bellandi's relentless attack. By the end of the match, Bellandi had amassed a total of 2 points with a Waza-ari score of 1 against Aguiar, who struggled to find her rhythm and ultimately finished the match without scoring any points.

The contest concluded with Bellandi's victory being confirmed at 10:42 AM local time, progressing her to the quarter-finals with a final score of 1-0 in points. The referee for this intense face-off was Jean Claude Djimbi from Gabon, who ensured the match was officiated fairly.

This victory not only cements Bellandi's status as a formidable contender in the judo discipline but also brings Italy one step closer to potential medal glory at the Paris 2024 Olympics. As she prepares for her next challenge, fans from around the world are eager to see how this talented judoka will continue to impress on the Olympic stage.